Our team of legal experts can help you establish your business in the Philippines, starting from choosing the different modes of doing business to its registration with the appropriate government entities. Once your business is established, we can also help you comply with the various reporting requirements set forth under Philippine Law.
Founded in 2000
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Reforms in the government and infrastructure have transformed the Philippines as a prime destination for foreign investment. Starting a business in the Philippines, however, requires substantial knowledge with the local laws as well as the regulatory requirements prevailing in the country.
Our team of legal experts can help you establish your business in the Philippines, starting from choosing the different modes of doing business to its registration with the appropriate government entities. Once your business is established, we can also help you comply with the various reporting requirements set forth under Philippine Law.
Companies doing business in the Philippines need cost-effective measures by which they can protect their innovations, brands and designs in the country. At Filipino Virtual Lawyers, we offer a full range of Intellectual Property Services.
Intellectual Property refers to anything created by someone such as but not limited to, symbols, designs, images, pictures and even names that are used for commercial purposes. These creations enjoy protection under the laws of the Philippines in order to ensure that the creators are duly recognized and compensated for their efforts.
A creator or innovator can register their creations with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) under several categories, the three most common are as follows: (1) Patents, (2) Trademarks and (3) Copyrights.
Patent
A patent, under the Intellectual Property Code, refers to a right granted to an inventor by the State which allows the inventor to exclude anyone else from commercially exploiting his invention for a limited period. To be considered patentable, the creation must comply with the basic requirements of novelty, inventiveness and industrial application.
The Patent Application Process begins with the Applicant filing a Request Form with the IPO, submitting the same with the descriptions and drawings of the invention process. Once filed, the application will be published in the IPO Gazette. During the said period of publication, anyone can contest the application.
Trademark
A trademark, on the other hand, is any visible sign capable of distinguishing the goods of an enterprise and shall include a stamped or marked container of goods. A trademark is essential to every business as it will help consumers identify one’s brand among the others in the market. To fall under the protection of the law, a trademark must be registered. Once registered, the owner of the trademark would have exclusive rights to make use of the mark. Any one who infringes or uses the same unfairly shall be held liable under the law.
Just like a patent, the application process for trademark registration begins by filing out the Trademark Application Form with the IPO. A drawing of the mark should be attached to the application form.
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Copyright
Finally, a Copyright refers to the right one has over literary and artistic works which are original intellectual creatures. As a rule, works in the literary and artistic domains are protected from the moment of creation. However, one can seek better protection by registering their work with the IPO. To be considered copyrightable, however, a work must comply with the basic requisites of originality and expression. As with the two other categories discussed above, the registration of a copyright in the Philippines entails the filing of the appropriate application forms coupled with the necessary filing fees.
Our team of lawyers has many years of experience in drafting, filing and prosecuting patent, copyright and trademark applications. Our lawyers are likewise capable of successfully representing both local and international clients from different industries in administrative proceedings before the Bureau of Legal Affairs of the Intellectual Property Office and in regular courts which include appellate proceedings.
Companies doing business in the Philippines are likewise expected to comply with the Labor Laws of the country. Failure to comply with the labor laws and employment regulations would expose your company to fines and penalties as well as potential liability issues for the officers.
The Labor Code of the Philippines governs employment practices and Labor Relations in the Philippines. The Labor Code contains rules and standards with respect to employment such as pre-employment policies, labor conditions, minimum wage, work hours, employee benefits, termination of employment, etc. It also contains pertinent provisions with respect to trade and labor unions enforcing the Constitutional provision that uphold the right of the workers to self-organization. Finally, the Labor Code also contains pertinent provisions that govern the manner by which employees can enforce their rights contained therein.
It is worth noting that Labor Laws in the Philippines are generally construed liberally in favor of labor. All doubts that arise with respect to the implementation and interpretation of the Labor Code and its implementing rules and regulations are resolved in favor of labor. Labor contracts also enjoy a special characteristic as they are imbued with public interest. They are expected to yield to the common good.
We can help you understand the salient provisions of the Philippine Labor Code. Here at Filipino Virtual Lawyers provides our clients assistance in drafting employee-related agreements and with the necessary advice in order to ensure their compliance with the Labor Code of the Philippines.
Foreigners coming to the Philippines must comply with the country’s Immigration Law. Foreign nationals who want to work in the Philippines must secure a Non-Immigrant Visa for pre-arranged employment from the Bureau of Immigration. Aside from an employment visa, a non-resident foreign national must likewise apply for an Alien Employment Permit from the Department of Labor and Employment to enable them to work in the Philippines.
Our team of legal experts provides effective assistance to companies and their employees in obtaining visas and work permits from relevant government agencies such as the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Aside from employment visas, our team of lawyers can also help you with other types of visas that are available in the Philippines, these include:
