Department profile
Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia

Intellectual Property

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : Philippines


Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia

Rankings

About

Provided by Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia

In this knowledge-based age, the protection, enforcement and commercialization of Intellectual Property rights are indispensable to economic development  Our lawyers are best known for their ability to provide excellent services covering the full spectrum of IP practice.

Our IP practice includes:

  • Prosecution of applications for the registration of trademarks and patents (inventions, utility models, industrial designs) and applications for issuance of copyright deposit;
  • Protection of business models, trade secrets and undisclosed information; IP commercialization, which includes negotiating, drafting and reviewing agreements for licensing and franchising;
  • Registering technology transfer agreements with the Documentation, Information and Technology Transfer Bureau;
  • Conduct of IP due diligence and audit of IP assets;
  • Registration of food, cosmetics and drugs with the Food and Drug Administration;
  • Implementing border control measures;
  • Addressing parallel import issues;
  • Handling administrative, civil and criminal cases on trademark, copyright and patent infringement and unfair competition; 
  • Handling domain name disputes;
  • Anti-piracy programs and intellectual property enforcement cases, including market survey, test-buy and evidence-gathering.

Our IP Department has the unique capability of providing value-added services, like patent drafting and IP litigation, without need of outsourcing work to external consultants or general litigators. 

Clients (9)

  • Dole Philippines
  • Filinvest Land
  • JT International
  • Unilab
  • University of the Philippines
  • Siemens
  • Samsung Electronics
  • Ortigas & Company
  • ABS-CBN

Industries (10)

  • Pharmaceutical
  • Electronics
  • Food
  • Chemical
  • Telecommunications
  • Household and sanitary goods
  • Transport equipment
  • Real estate
  • Television and Broadcasting
  • Computers and peripheral equipment

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Intellectual Property - Philippines

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia has a strong team of IP lawyers in Manila. The firm is active on a broad range of mandates, from IP commercialisation to trade mark opposition disputes. The team is well versed in IP portfolio management and copyright and patent commercialisation. The firm regularly acts for both Philippine and international clients, offering expertise in a diverse array of sectors, including technology, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia advised on the trademark portfolio of Ayala Corporation, a leading real estate developer in the Philippines.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • CMT's IP experts consistently deliver high-quality services, demonstrating a strong commitment to public service and innovation.

    Intellectual Property respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia demonstrates strong professionalism, and has an ability to explain complex law jargon in more common terms for non-lawyers to understand.

    Intellectual Property respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Susan Villanueva
    Band 1Susan Villanueva

    Susan Villanueva

    Susan Villanueva heads the intellectual property department at the firm. She is highly regarded as an IP expert who is noted for her work as a professor of IP and for her experience working on trademarks. She is particularly active on intellectual property litigation and enforcement.

    • We have been working with Susan for many years and have always stayed with CMT because of her strong professionalism and knowledge of IP law.

      Intellectual Property respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 2Patricia A O Bunye
    Band 2Patricia A O Bunye

    Patricia A O Bunye

    Patricia Bunye has expertise in IP matters including licensing and franchising. She also acts on trade mark prosecution and litigation.

  • Band 3Divina Gracia E Pedron
    Band 3Divina Gracia E Pedron

    Divina Gracia E Pedron

    Divina Gracia Pedron has experience advising prominent brands on their trade mark portfolios, intellectual property enforcement and copyright protection.

    • Divina is very competent and provides excellent service.

      Intellectual Property respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 3Rowanie Nakan
    Band 3Rowanie Nakan

    Rowanie Nakan

    Rowanie Nakan is noted for her work in patent filing and the protection of intellectual property rights.

    • Rowanie asked questions about our company, the level of importance of our trademark and its use. She has delivered the best opposition pleading I’ve read so far.

      Intellectual Property respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Rowanie is great to work with. She delivers on our requirements in a timely manner and is able to explain issues clearly.

      Intellectual Property respondentAsia-Pacific

Ranked Individuals at Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia (4)

Philippines

Members

Provided by Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia

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