Webinar leads to increased IP enforcement at Golden ABC

After capacitating its manpower to learn more about intellectual property (IP) protection, fashion enterprise Golden ABC (GABC), Inc. –– owner of homegrown brands Penshoppe, Regatta, Oxygen, Forme, and Memo –– said it has since enhanced its IP enforcement and brand management efforts, yielding positive results such as more litigation savings and higher case decongestion.

In a letter to Director General Rowel S. Barba dated 03 February 2022, the company’s IP Desk said the “Notch Up In-House Digital Course on IP Capacity Building” held by IPOPHL for GABC in October 2021 has helped the company strategize effectively on enforcement and prosecution.

“During the last quarter of 2021, GABC successfully initiated a major raid and led the proactive prosecution of several enforcement proceedings through the advice and guidance of your IP Rights Enforcement Office (IEO) and the National Committee on IP Rights (NCIPR),” Atty. Kristian Nico C. Acosta, Legal Manager of GABC’s IP Desk, said in the letter.

“Moreover, just last month, our legal team was able to cost-effectively decongest GABC’s remaining inter partes case before your Bureau of Legal Affairs through mediation,” he added.

GABC’s cease and desist orders against hundreds of online infringers also yielded a 95% compliance rate.

“For having zero cases and docket backlogs in the administrative level (made possible by strategic alternative dispute resolution methods and intensified cease and desist campaigns), GABC has been able to save a substantial amount of fees on costly and protracted litigation,” Acosta added.

The company said it will further strengthen the protection of its brand against infringers by drafting this year its Anti-Counterfeit and Anti-Piracy Policy (ACAP).

GABC also committed to continue its work in advocating IP in the fashion and retail industries this year.

“Our team would like to continuously participate in IPOPHL’s meaningful activities like public consultations and dialogues on emerging IP rules, regulations and policies,” said the fashion retail giant, which has sponsored major IP events such as the 1st Philippine International Copyright Summit held in November 2021.

With the tangible outcomes proven with GABC’s enhanced IP knowledge, Barba encouraged other companies to reach out to IPOPHL’s Documentation, Information and Technology Transfer Bureau (DITTB) for a request for learning events in order to build up their IP capacities and strategies.

“Our DITTB can tailor lectures and webinars best suited to your preferences and needs. IPOPHL especially welcomes startups and MSMEs who are striving to advance in fiercely competitive markets. We can help them identify their IPs and explore best practices in safeguarding their potential value and their brands’ future,” Barba added.

Requests for in-house seminars can be coursed through ask@ipophil.gov.ph and must be addressed to DITTB Officer-in-Charge Atty. Louie C. Calvario.