Pursuant to TAPI’s mandate to provide financial support to Filipino inventors for a complete package of intellectual property rights assistance, Engr. Edgar I. Garcia, TAPI’s Director, signed MOA with three major IP firms in the country here at its Bicutan Office, June 24, 2016.
The said firms were Baranda & Associates (B&A), Hechanova & Co., Inc. and Sapalo Velez Bundang & Bulilan Law Offices (SVBB). Hechanova & Co., Inc. and SVBB are both top IP filers in the country and were cited as outstanding IP firms in Asia, while B&A works in association with international intellectual property law firm Rouse, a leading global IP consultancy that provides the full range of IP services.
Being tasked to implement the Republic Act 7459 otherwise known as the “Inventors and Inventions Act of the Philippines”, TAPI shall assist IP-related services from preparation of specification, filing and prosecution to conclusion of patent application/utility model or industrial design registration. For this reason, TAPI continuously seeks partners that can prepare the necessary documents for securing intellectual property protection of its clients’ invention/utility model/industrial design.
B&A’s Atty. Edmund Jason Baranda is both an IP lawyer and a qualified Patent Agent with more than 10 years’ experience in the Philippines. He has extensive experience in drafting patent specifications, advising on freedom-to-operate searches and prosecuting local and international patent applications. He is also involved in patent litigation, particularly patent cancellation and patent infringement actions in the pharmaceutical field, and trade mark/copyright litigation.
Meanwhile, Hechanova & Co., Inc., represented by Atty. Editha R. Hechanova, is a company handling trademark and patent prosecution, copyright and domain name registrations, trademark valuation, searches, and other non-contentious intellectual property matters. Hechanova & Co., Inc. is also attached with Hechanova Bugay Vilchez & Andaya-Racadio Law Offices.
Likewise, SVBB represented by Atty. Ignacio S. Sapalo, former Director of the Bureau of Patents, is one of the biggest law firms in the country engaged in intellectual property prosecution and enforcement, representing world-wide clients, as well as big multinational companies operating in the Philippines. Included in its portfolio are Microsoft, Toyota, Nestle and some other major global players.
The three law offices are willing to provide assistance to TAPI’s clients in the preparation of patent documents and prosecution of their intellectual property applications before the Intellectual Property Office (IPOPHL).
Meanwhile, TAPI also welcomes Atty. Gladys C. Vilchez as TAPI’s new IP Consultant that will provide expert opinions on IP matters and technology transfer activities of the DOST.
From left to right: Mr. Caezar Angelito E. Arceo, TAPI Director Engr. Edgar I. Garcia, Atty. Ignacio S. Sapalo and Atty. Neptali L. Bulilan
From left to right: Mr. Caezar Angelito E. Arceo, TAPI Director Engr. Edgar I. Garcia, Atty. Editha R. Hechanova and Atty. Gladys C. Vilchez
From left to right: Ms. Charlene R. Calvelo, Atty. Edmund Jason Baranda, TAPI Director Engr. Edgar I. Garcia and Mr. Caezar Angelito E. Arceo.
From left to right: Caezar Angelito E. Arceo. Atty. Gladys C. Vilchez and TAPI Director Engr. Edgar I. Garcia.