OUR PRACTICES

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

For almost 50 years, SVBB has been one of the front-running law firms in the country engaged in intellectual property registration and enforcement, including portfolio management, prosecution, maintenance and technology transfer.

It represents both local and multinational clients, such as Toyota Technical Development Corporation, JFE Steel Corporation, Yamaha Motors Corporation, Sony Computer and Entertainment Inc., Unicharm Corporation, Dart Industries, Century Pacific Seacrest, Inc., Peerless Products Manufacturing Corporation, among others, and boast a vast network of international correspondents. It is an active member of international organizations for the protection of intellectual property such as the International Trademark Association (INTA), Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA), and American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA).

Mindful of the need to contribute to society, it likewise counsels the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the University of the Philippines, and the De La Salle University on some of their patent concerns.

It has provided groundbreaking solutions and innovations that have had a dramatic impact on its clients’ intellectual property needs including litigating various aspects of intellectual property disputes, from complex patent litigation to trademark and copyright infringement matters. It likewise provides consultative advice, review, and preparation of Technology Transfer Agreement, i licensing agreements, and distributorship agreements with copyright and trademark issues. SVBB also achieved significant victories before the Supreme Court in a number oflandmark cases involving trademark and copyright matters.

Its IP lawyers are complemented by paralegals – with degrees in the sciences and engineering as well as by patent consultants, and technical staff.

For investigation in support of litigation, it coordinates with its partner investigators who work to effectively coordinate with law enforcement agencies in cases requiring investigations and securing search warrants.

SVBB has aggressively prosecuted cases against infringers of IP rights.  It has actively engaged in infringement cases involving internationally well-known trademarks and pharmaceutical patents. Significantly, it is also persistently going after both online and offline infringers of Korean copyright works or content.

CORPORATE, TAX, & IMMIGRATION

SVBB specializes in servicing the corporate and tax requirements of local and foreign clients covering the full spectrum of corporate transactions vital to businesses in today’s global marketplace.

SVBB provides clients with valuable service and advice on all areas of corporate practice including the setting up and registration of businesses, recommending feasible structures to cater to the specific requirements of investors, guidance in the availment of fiscal and non-fiscalincentives, the protection of their investments, and measures to ensure the legal continuity of their businesses. It also extends legal advice on all areas of Philippines taxation including tax advisory, structuring and planning services for major corporate and institutional clients, assistance in the resolution of tax issues, controversies, and disputes with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and appeals to the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) as may be necessary.

SVBB presently acts as counsel for several business process outsourcing (BPO) and knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) companies in the Philippines dealing with customer service, design, finance, and research.

SVBB’s immigration practice further complements the needs of its corporate clients by providing international and multi-national corporations consultative and legal services for the immigration and emigration needs of their expatriate officers and employees.

In addition, SVBB has recently agreed to provide legal support to stakeholders in the micro-finance industry who are performing a vital role in nation-building by providing access to affordable financial products and services to farmers, fishermen, street vendors and the like, enabling them to break the oppressive cycle of poverty and grow to become successful entrepreneurs.

GENERAL PRACTICE & LITIGATION

With its seasoned as well as the new breed of lawyers, SVBB provides comprehensive legal services across a broad range of practice areas from contract review and documentation, legal counselling and risk assessment and strategy to dispute resolution. SVBB  passionately handles litigation work in civil, criminal and administrative proceedings before the trial and appellate level courts, and quasi-judicial agencies.

A competent staff of paralegals and secretaries provide able support to its advocates to ensure that cases are efficiently and effectively taken care of. It deals with varied legal issues and provides legal counselling and general advices to both local and foreign clients.

Part of its general practice is its work in the area of energy, with emphasis on the implementation of the so-called EPIRA [Electric Power Industry Reform Act] Law. Related to this, SVBB takes pride in offering the unique remedy of direct connection (DC) available to big electric customers to connect directly to the grid in getting their electric power requirement from the supplier of its choice, bypassing the franchisee, under the procedure prescribed by the Department of Energy (DOE).

MARITIME & LABOR

SVBB cooperates with various stakeholders in ensuring better protection and more benefits for seafarers’, oftentimes  working with government agencies and non-governmental organizations. Properly supported by an excellent staff, SVBB advocates seafarers’ rights through initiatives showcasing its unwavering commitment to the principles of social justice and fair play.

SVBB responds to varied seafarers’ concerns requiring its legal expertise and assists clients and their families in understanding their contracts and working environment as well as the prosecution of their cases.

SVBB litigates money claims for contractual breaches, disability and death benefits as well as other cases before judicial or quasi-judicial bodies.

It promotes and upholds industrial peace by ensuring that the management does not abuse its management prerogatives, while labor acts in good faith in the exercise of their work.