"THE FIRM This substantial practice has an impressive track record in a wide spectrum of IP matters, including prosecution, licensing and franchising, technology transfer agreements, infringement, unfair competition cases and enforcement. Work highlights over the past year include representing In-N-Out Burger in a long-running dispute over the mark 'IN-N-OUT Burger'. It also represented one of the country's biggest generic pharmaceutical companies, United Laboratories, in challenging a patent dispute against Warner-Lambert. Other key clients include ABS-CBN Broadcasting, Sunkist Growers, Siemens and Banco De Oro Unibank.

Sources say: "Excellent across the board." "It ranks among the top in the country."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients praise Bienvenido Somera for his 'outstanding, thorough and well-articulated counsel.' He is a deeply experienced lawyer whose litigation prowess spans several practice areas, including in tax disputes. Patricia Bunye is sought after by clients for her insightful advice on trade mark prosecution and licensing matters. She is a multi-specialist, and also heads the firm's mining and natural resources team. Another notable figure in the group is Susan Villanueva, who handles a wide range of IP matters, including licensing and litigation. She also has a significant profile in academia as a lecturer on IP law."

THE LEGAL 500

"The highly rated IP group at Villaraza Cruz Marcelo & Angangco provides an exhaustive range of services to its clients, including trade mark enforcement and patent registrations. Top-notch group head Bienvenido Somera is the current Chairman of the Intellectual Property Association of the Philippines."

"This firm 'provides a wide range of trademark services to a very high standard.' It offers the gamut of contentious and non-contentious facilities, gaining particular commendation for its enforcement work. Partner Bienvenido I. Somera is recommended as a key contact for trademarks. Sources confirm that he is 'a highly respected senior practitioner'; he is also the current chairman of the IP Association of the Philippines."