SC asked to assign more courts to intellectual property cases

The Supreme Court was asked to assign more courts to intellectual property cases as the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (Ipophil) reported an increasing number of intellectual property violations, particularly trademark infringements.

In a statement on Monday (Aug. 5), Ipophil said it had asked the high court to assign more special commercial courts to more areas. Such courts are currently found only in the cities of Pasig, Makati, Manila and Quezon.

Josephine Santiago, Ipophil director, made the request last July 24.

She said designating courts for intellectual property (IP) in Metro Visayas, Metro Mindanao and Metro Northern Luzon “will further bolster the Philippines’ standing in the areas of rule of law and administration of justice.”

Additional IP courts, she said, “will be beneficial as this will serve a greater number of stakeholders.”

The Ipophil also asked the Supreme Court to assign regional trial courts (RTCs) that would specialize and focus solely on IP cases which could lead to quicker resolution of cases.

IP cases currently are handled by RTCs designated as special commercial courts that are saddled with other cases dealing with commerce but not intellectuai property issues.

On top of commerce-related cases, the courts are also bursting at the seams with an increasing number of drug-related cases.

The Ipophil encouraged the use of its alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services which offer mediation which could cut costs and save time for litigants./TSB