"I have had nothing but good experiences with every attorney I encountered at Villaraza Cruz Marcelo & Angangco," says one client. This year, the experienced litigators at the firm continued to represent In-N-Out Burger in its logo trade mark case against Sehwani and Benita's Frites. In-N-Out Burger was inundated by challenges on its well-known mark status last year, which the firm eventually won, although it now faces an appeal. The revered lawyer who oversaw the case was Susan Villanueva, responsible for the firm's strong track record in trade mark opposition, cancellation proceedings and violation cases – considered to be the strongest area of the firm's practice.
Equally important are partners Bienvenido Somera Jr and Divina Pedron, both of whom were part of the team that acted for Banco de Oro Unibank in a trade mark cancellation proceeding to assert its ownership over the mark BDO in class 36. Villanueva enabled the team to craft a novel argument that, under the old Philippines IP law, a prior user's right over a mark is already vested even if the mark was not registered since the mark was used before the enactment of the new IP Code. "I have found working with Villaraza Cruz Marcelo & Angangco to be an exceptional experience as the attorneys are extremely professional and knowledgeable and their response time is excellent," summarises an international client. "It is one of our most valued and trusted counsels around the world."