Special commercial court judges from around the world gathered in Makati Diamond Residences on August 14–15 for the National Judicial Colloquium on Intellectual Property Adjudication.
The colloquium was hosted by the Supreme Court (SC) through its sub-committee on Commercial Courts and the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA), in collaboration with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
The judges completed the Distance Learning Course (DLC) on intellectual property (IP) adjudication, which, according to the SC, “strengthens judicial capacity, promotes consistency in rulings, and addresses emerging challenges in IP law.”
Guided by IP law experts both local and international, the colloquium included Justice Cameron Moore of the Federal Court of Australia, who discussed patent law, and Justice Soumen Sen of India’s Calcutta High Court, who tackled legal rulings on trademarks and copyright.
“Effective adjudication of intellectual property cases is a vital safeguard for innovators and creators for whom the Constitution stands guard”, said Associate Justice Japar B. Dimaampao, Vice Chairperson of the SC subcommittee on commercial courts.
Under Republic Act No. 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code, IP covers copyright and related rights, trademarks, service marks, geographical indications, industrial designs, patents, layout designs of integrated circuits, and the protection of undisclosed information.
The colloquium aims to continue in enhancing the judicial competence in intellectual property adjudication in the country.
Another international conference on intellectual property and human rights, organized by Science Leagues South Asia will be scheduled for October 25-26 in Manila.
