Share your needs with us, get contacted by law firms.
Free. Takes 2 min.
Cebu City, Philippines Attorneys in related practice areas.
Browse our 2 legal questions about Intellectual Property in Philippines and the lawyer answers, or ask your own questions for free.
Intellectual Property Law in Cebu City, like the rest of the Philippines, is governed by national laws including the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293). This law provides protection for creations of the mind including inventions, literary and artistic works, symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce. It covers the fields of patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright, geographical indications, and layout-designs (topographies) of integrated circuits.
You may need a lawyer in circumstances where you are creating, using, or investing in intellectual property and need to understand your legal rights and responsibilities. This could involve filing patent or trademark applications, dealing with copyright infringement claims, drafting non-disclosure agreements, licensing intellectual property rights, or litigating disputes. A lawyer can also advise on intellectual property strategy, due diligence in business transactions, and other complex matters.
Local laws for Intellectual Property in Cebu City are guided by the national laws of the Philippines. Key aspects include the Intellectual Property Code (Republic Act No. 8293), which outlines the framework for patent, trademark and copyright protection. There is also the Optical Media Act (Republic Act No. 9239) for regulating the manufacture, mastering, replication, importation and exportation of optical media. Other relevant laws include the Electronic Commerce Act (Republic Act No. 8792), and the Technology Transfer Act (Republic Act No. 10055).
Intellectual Property covers creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, symbols, names, and images used in commerce.
The main types are patents, trademarks, and copyrights. A patent protects inventions, a trademark protects brands, and copyright protects original artistic or literary works.
Patents and trademarks can be registered with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines. This process may require legal help to ensure all requirements are met and to protect your rights fully.
Copyright infringement is the use, reproduction, distribution, or performance of copyrighted work without the permission of the copyright owner. It is a violation of the Intellectual Property Code.
The duration of intellectual property rights varies: patents last 20 years, trademarks last 10 years (but can be renewed indefinitely), and copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 50 years after the author’s death.
You can obtain further information about Intellectual Property from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, Department of Trade and Industry, and WIPO's Philippines page. There are also several law firms in Cebu City specialising in Intellectual Property Law that provide legal advice and services.
If you need legal assistance with Intellectual Property in Cebu City, the best approach is to consult with an experienced Intellectual Property lawyer, who can explain the complexities of the law and guide you through the necessary legal processes. Also, consider safeguarding your Intellectual Property rights as part of your overall business strategy, to protect and enhance the value of your creations and innovations.
