Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
processing, trading and services, whose total assets including those arising from loans but exclusive of the land on
which the particular busine UFS VS MUNSIGNWEAR (1989)
UFS VS MUNSIGNWEAR (1989)
UFS VS MUNSIGNWEAR (1989)
ss entity's office, plant and equipment are situated, shall not be more than Thr COLOMBIA PICTURES VS CA AND
SHOWTIME ENTERPRISES (1996) COLOMBIA PICTURES VS CA AND SHOWTIME ENTERPRISES (1996)ee Million Pesos
However, we agree with petitioner that it was error for the Court of Appeals to affirm the
award of nominal damages combined with temperate damages15 by the Regional Trial
Court of Makati. What Mentran vs. Paredes, 79 Phil. 819 Mentran vs. Paredes, 79
Phil. 819 Mentran vs. Paredes, 79 Phil. 819vv respondents are entitled to is an
award for temperate damages, not nominal damages. For although the PEOPLE VS CHOI (2006)
PEOPLE VS CHOI (2006)
a) PEOPLE VS CHOI (2006) W Land Holding vs. Starwood Hotels, G.R. No. 222336, December 4, 2017
b) W Land Holding vs. Starwood Hotels, G.R. No. 222336, December 4, 2017
c) W Land Holding vs. Starwood Hotels, G.R. No. 222336, December 4, 2017
d) W Land Holding vs. Starwood Hotels, G.R. No. 222336, December 4, 2017
WHEREFORE, the decision dated January 30, 1998, of the Court of Appeals, in CA-G.R. CV No.
51553 AFFIRMING the judgment of the Regional Trial Court of Makati, Branch 66, dated July
14, 1995, is hereby MODIFIED so that nominal damages are deleted but the amount of
80
P50,000 is hereby awarded only as TEMPERATE DAMAGES. In all other respects, said
judgment is hereby AFFIRMED, to wit:
b) the defendants CVS Garment and Industrial Company and Venancio Sambar are
ordered also to pay the plaintiffs jointly and solidarily the sum of P10,000.00 as
exemplary damages, and the sum of P25,000.00 as attorney’s fees and litigation
expenses, and to pay the costs; and
SO ORDERED.
Footnotes
2 Id. at 274-275.
3 Rollo, p. 20.
4 Id. at 34.
5 Salcedo vs. People, G.R. No. 137143, 347 SCRA 499, 504-505 (2000).
6 Id. at 1.
7David vs. Manila Bulletin Publishing Company, Inc., G.R. No. 139272, 347 SCRA 68,
69 (2000).
8Section 1, Rule 131: Burden of Proof. - Burden of proof is the duty of a party to
present evidence on the facts in issue necessary to establish his claim or defense by
the amount of evidence required by law.
10Section 22. Infringement, what constitutes. Any person who shall use, without the
consent of the registrant, any reproduction, counterfeit, copy or colorable imitation
81
of any registered mark or trade-name in connection with the sale, offering for sale, or
advertising of any goods, business or services on or in connection with which such
use is likely to cause confusion or mistake or to deceive purchasers or others as to the
source of such business; or reproduce, counterfeit, copy or colorably imitate any such
mark or trade-name and apply such reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable
imitation to labels, signs, prints, packages, wrappers, receptacles or advertisements
intended to be used upon or in connection with such goods, business or services, shall
be liable to a civil action by the registrant for any or all the remedies herein provided.
Section 23. Actions, and damages and injunction for infringement. - Any
person entitled to the exclusive use of a registered mark or trade-name may
recover damages in a civil action from any person who infringes his rights, and
the measure of the damages suffered shall be either the reasonable profit
which the complaining party would have made, had the defendant not
infringed his said rights, or the profit which the defendant actually made out
of the infringement, or in the event such measure of damages cannot be readily
ascertained with reasonable certainty, then the court may award as damages
a reasonable percentage based upon the amount of gross sales of the
defendant of the value of the services in connection with which the mark or
trade-name was used in the infringement of the rights of the complaining
party. In cases where actual intent to mislead the public or to defraud the
complaining party shall be shown, in the discretion of the court, the damages
may be doubled.
The complaining party, upon proper showing, may also be granted injunction.
11 Ibid.
12Heirs of Crisanta Y. Gabriel-Almoradie vs. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 91385, 229
SCRA 15, 30 & 34 (1994).
16 Art. 2224, Civil Code: Temperate or moderate damages, which are more than
nominal but less than compensatory damages, may be recovered where the court
finds that some pecuniary loss has been suffered but its amount cannot, from the
nature of the case, be proved with certainty.
However, we agree with petitioner that it was error for the Court of Appeals to affirm the
award of nominal damages combined with temperate damages15 by the Regional Trial Court
of Makati. What respondents are entitled to is an award for temperate damages, not nominal
damages. For although the exact amount of damage or loss can not be determined with
reasonable certainty, the fact that there was infringement means they suffered losses for
which they are entitled to moderate damages.16 We find that the award of P50,000.00 as
temperate damages fair and reasonable, considering the circumstances herein as well as the
global coverage and reputation of private respondents Levi Strauss & Company and Levi
Strauss (Phil.), Inc.
WHEREFORE, the decision dated January 30, 1998, of the Court of Appeals, in CA-G.R. CV No.
51553 AFFIRMING the judgment of the Regional Trial Court of Makati, Branch 66, dated July
14, 1995, is hereby MODIFIED so that nominal damages are deleted but the amount of
80
P50,000 is hereby awarded only as TEMPERATE DAMAGES. In all other respects, said
judgment is hereby AFFIRMED, to wit:
e) the defendants CVS Garment and Industrial Company and Venancio Sambar are
ordered also to pay the plaintiffs jointly and solidarily the sum of P10,000.00 as
exemplary damages, and the sum of P25,000.00 as attorney’s fees and litigation
expenses, and to pay the costs; and
SO ORDERED.
Footnotes
9 Id. at 274-275.
10 Rollo, p. 20.
11 Id. at 34.
12 Salcedo vs. People, G.R. No. 137143, 347 SCRA 499, 504-505 (2000).
13 Id. at 1.
14 David vs. Manila Bulletin Publishing Company, Inc., G.R. No. 139272, 347 SCRA
68,
70 (2000).
11 Section 1, Rule 131: Burden of Proof. - Burden of proof is the duty of a party to
present evidence on the facts in issue necessary to establish his claim or defense by
the amount of evidence required by law.
13Section 22. Infringement, what constitutes. Any person who shall use, without the
consent of the registrant, any reproduction, counterfeit, copy or colorable imitation
81
of any registered mark or trade-name intent to mislead the
in connection with the sale, offering for public or to defraud the
sale, or advertising of any goods, complaining party shall
business or services on or in be shown, in the
connection with which such use is discretion of the court,
likely to cause confusion or mistake or the damages may be
to deceive purchasers or others as to doubled.
the source of such business; or
reproduce, counterfeit, copy or
colorably imitate any such mark or The complaining party,
trade-name and apply such upon proper showing,
reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or may also be granted
colorable imitation to labels, signs, injunction.
prints, packages, wrappers,
receptacles or advertisements
intended to be used upon or in 17 Ibid.
connection with such goods, business
or services, shall be liable to a civil
action by the registrant for any or all 18Heirs of Crisanta Y. Gabriel-
the remedies herein provided. Almoradie vs. Court of Appeals,
G.R. No. 91385, 229 SCRA 15,
30 & 34 (1994).
Section 23. Actions, and
damages and injunction for 19 See note 10.
infringement. - Any person
entitled to the exclusive use of a
registered mark or trade-name 20 Hoffman vs. Le Traunik, 209
may recover damages in a civil Federal Reporter 375, 379
action from any person who (1913).
infringes his rights, and the
measure of the damages
21 Ventanilla vs. Centeno, No. L-
suffered shall be either the
14333, 1 SCRA 215, 216
reasonable profit which the
(1961).
complaining party would have
made, had the defendant not
infringed his said rights, or the 22Art. 2224, Civil Code:
profit which the defendant Temperate or moderate
actually made out of the damages, which are more than
infringement, or in the event nominal but less than
such measure of damages compensatory damages, may be
cannot be readily ascertained recovered where the court finds
with reasonable certainty, then that some pecuniary loss has
the court may award as been suffered but its amount
damages a reasonable cannot, from the nature of the
percentage based upon the case, be proved with certainty.
amount of gross sales of the
defendant of the value of the EO ENTERPRISES (1944)
COLOMBIA PICTURES VS CA AND TUBE
services in connection with VIDEO ENTERPRISES (1944)
which the mark or trade-name ve Above definition shall be subjected
to review and upward adjustment by
was used in the infringement of the SMED Council, as mandated under
the rights of the complaining Republic Act No. 6977, as amended by
Republic Act No. 8289.
party. In cases where actual
For the purpose of this Act, "service" shall exclude those
rendere FACTS: HELD: Petition is partially granted. The prayer
for a writ of preliminary injunction to prohibit Tan
Petitioner imports vermicelli from China National Cereals
from using the cellophane wrapper with two-
Oils and Foodstuffs, based in Beijing, China, under the
dragon device is denied, but the finding of the
firm name C.K.C. Trading. He repacks it in cellophane
respondent appellate court that Ong’s
wrappers with a design of two-dragons and the TOWER
copyrighted wrapper is a copy of that of
trademark on the uppermost portion.
Ceroilfood Shandong is SET ASIDE for being
Ong acquired a Certificate of Copyright Registration from
premature. Case was remanded to RTC.
the National Library on June 9, 1993 on the said design.
Ong filed against Tan a verified complaint for infringement
RATIO:
of copyright with damages and prayer for temporary
A person to be entitled to a copyright must
restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction with the
be the original creator of the work. He must
RTC-QC.
have created it by his own skill, labor and
o Ong alleged that he was the holder of a Certificate of
judgment without directly copying or
Copyright Registration over the cellophane wrapper with
evasively imitating the work of another. The
the two-dragon design, and that Tan used an identical
copies of the certificates of copyright registered in
wrapper in his business. In his prayer for a preliminary
the name of Ceroilfood Shandong sufficiently
injunction in addition to damages, he asked that Tan be
raise reasonable doubt. With such a doubt, the
restrained from using the wrapper.
preliminary injunction asked by Ong against Tan
Tan filed an opposition alleging that Ong was not entitled
is unavailing.
to an injunction.
To be entitled to an injunctive writ, petitioner
o According to Tan, Ong did not have a clear right over the
must show, inter alia, the existence of a clear and
use of the trademark Pagoda and Lungkow vermicelli as
unmistakable right and an urgent and paramount
these were registered in the name of Ceroilfood
necessity for the writ to prevent serious damage.
Shandong, based in Qingdao, China.
In this case, the Court found that petitioner’s right
o Further, Tan averred that he was the exclusive distributor in
has not been clearly and unmistakably
the Philippines of the Pagoda and Lungkow vermicelli and
demonstrated.
was solely authorized to use said trademark.
The Court added it was premature for the CA to
o He added that Ong merely copied the two-dragon design
declare that the design of petitioner’s wrapper is
from Ceroilfood Shandong which had the Certificates of
a copy of the wrapper allegedly registered by
Registration issued by different countries.
Ceroilfood Shandong. The only issue brought
o Private respondent alleges that the trademark PAGODA
before the CA involved the grave abuse of
BRAND was registered in China on October 31, 1979
discretion allegedly committed by the trial court in
while the trademark LUNGKOW VERMICELLI WITH
granting the writ of preliminary injunction, and not
TWO-DRAGON DEVICE was registered on August 15,
on the merits of the infringement case. That
1985.
matter remains for decision after appropriate
Trial Court issued a temporary restraining order on the
proceedings at the trial court.
same date the complaint was filed. It likewise issued the
writ in Ong’s favor upon his filing of a P100,000.00 bond. d by any one, who is duly licensed
government after having passed a
CA gave due course and granted the petition. The lower
government licensure examination, in
court’s orders, as well as the writ of preliminary injunction, connection with the exercise of one's
profession.
were set aside. Ong filed a MR from which CA modified its
decision and made the injunction permanent. (b) "Certificate of Authority" is the certificate
issued granting the authority to thNo. In a 6-3
ISSUE: opinion delivered by Justice Sandra Day
W/N MICROSOFT VS MAXICORP (2004) O'Connor, the Court held that The
the issuance of the writ of preliminary injunction in favor of Nation's use of verbatim excerpts from
private respondent was proper?
the unpublished manuscript was not a
fair use. The Court reasoned that the
unpublished nature of a work is a key, though the protection of the copyright
not necessarily determinative, factor tending to owner's economic interest
negate a defense of fair use. "Under ordinary "through an exceedingly
circumstances, the author's right to control the narrow definition of the scope
first public appearance of his undisseminated of fair use." No. In a 6-3
expression will outweigh a claim of fair use,"
opinion delivered by Justice
wrote Justice O'Connor. Accordingly, the Court
concluded that the four statutory factors Sandra Day O'Connor, the
relevant to determining whether the use was Court held that The Nation's
fair were not satisfied. In his dissent, Justice use of verbatim excerpts from
William J. Brennan, Jr., argued that the Court the unpublished manuscript
was advancing the protection of the copyright was not a fair use. The Court
owner's economic interest "through an reasoned that the unpublished
exceedingly narrow definition of the scope of nature of a work is a key,
fair use." No. In a 6-3 opinion delivered by though not necessarily
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the Court held determinative, factor tending
that The Nation's use of verbatim excerpts from to negate a defense of fair
the unpublished manuscript was not a fair use.
use. "Under ordinary
The Court reasoned that the unpublished
nature of a work is a key, though not circumstances, the author's
necessarily determinative, factor tending to right to control the first public
negate a defense of fair use. "Under ordinary appearance of his
circumstances, the author's right to control the undisseminated expression
first public appearance of his undisseminated will outweigh a claim of fair
expression will outweigh a claim of fair use," use," wrote Justice O'Connor.
wrote Justice O'Connor. Accordingly, the Court Accordingly, the Court
concluded that the four statutory factors concluded that the four
relevant to determining whether the use was statutory factors relevant to
fair were not satisfied. In his dissent, Justice determining whether the use
William J. Brennan, Jr., argued that the Court
was fair were not satisfied. In
was advancing the protection of the copyright
owner's economic interest "throu UFS VS his dissent, Justice William J.
MUNSIGNWEAR (1989) Brennan, Jr., argued that the
gh an exceedingly narrow definition of the Court was advancing the
scope of fair use." No. In a 6-3 opinion protection of the copyright
delivered by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the owner's economic interest
Court held that The Nation's use of verbatim "through an exceedingly
excerpts from the unpublished manuscript was
narrow definition of the scope
not a fair use. The Court reasoned that the
unpublished nature of a work is a key, though of fair use." No. In a 6-3
not necessarily determinative, factor tending to opinion delivered by Justice
negate a defense of fair use. "Under ordinary Sandra Day O'Connor, the
circumsta COLOMBIA PICTURES VS CA AND TUBE VIDEO Court held that The Nation's
ENTERPRISES (1944) use of verbatim excerpts from
COLOMBIA PICTURES VS CA AND TUBE VIDEO
ENTERPRISES (1944) the unpublished manuscript
COLOMBIA PICTURES VS CA AND TUBE VIDEO
ENTERPRISES (1944)
was not a fair use. The Court
nces, the author's right to control the reasoned that the unpublished
first public appearance of his nature of a work is a key,
undisseminated expression will though not necessarily
outweigh a claim of fair use," wrote determinative, factor tending
Justice O'Connor. Accordingly, the to negate a defense of fair
Court concluded that the four use. "Under ordinary
statutory factors relevant to circumstances, the author's
determining whether the use was fair right to control the first public
were not satisfied. In his dissent, appearance of his
Justice William J. Brennan, Jr., undisseminated expression
argued that the Court was advancing will outweigh a claim of fair
use," wrote Justice O'Connor.
HELD:
Accordingly, the Court concluded
that the four statutory factors No. The COA is clothed under Section 2(2), Article IX-D of the
relevant to determining whether the 1987 Constitution with the "exclusive authority, subject to the limitations in
this Article, to define the scope of its audit and examination, establish the
use was fair were not satisfied. In his techniques and methods required therefor, and promulgate accounting and
auditing rules, and regulations including those for the prevention and
dissent, Justice William J. Brennan, disallowance of irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant or
unconscionable expenditures, or uses of government funds and properties."
Jr., argued that the Court was The authority granted under this constitutional provision, being broad and
comprehensive enough, enables COA to adopt as its own, simply by
advancing the protection of the reiteration or by reference, without the necessity of repromulgation, already
existing rules and regulations. It may also expand the coverage thereof to
copyright owner's economic interest agencies or instrumentalities under its audit jurisdiction. It is in this light that
we view COA Memorandum No. 88-565 issued on August 1, 1988.
"through an exceedingly narrow
definition of the scope of fair use."e WHEREFORE, the petition is hereby DISMISSED for being
moot and academic.
registered BMBE to operate and be entitled to
the benefits and privileges accorded thereto.
(c) "Assets" refers to all kinds of properties, real
or personal, owned by the BMBE and used for ARTICLE IX - CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS D.
the conduct of its business as defined by the COMMISSION ON AUDIT BAGATSING VS. COMMITTEE ON
SMED Council: Provided, That for the purpose of PRIVATIZATION (G.R. NO. 112399 JULY 14, 1995)
ISSUE: Did respondent commit grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack ISSUE: Whether or not the public bidding was tainted with haste and
or excess of jurisdiction in ordering PAL to desist from bidding the arbitrariness because there was a failed bidding for having only one offeror?
company’s fuel supply contracts?
HELD:
Petitioners urge that in effect there was only one bidder and
that it can not be said that there was a competition on "an equal footing. But
the COA Circular does not speak of accepted bids but of offerors, without
distinction as to whether they were disqualified.
The COA itself, the agency that adopted the rules on bidding
procedure to be followed by government offices and corporations, had
upheld the validity and legality of the questioned bidding. The interpretation
of an agency of its own rules should be given more weight than the
interpretation by that agency of the law it is merely tasked to administer.
The term limit for elective local officials must be taken to refer to the right to be elected
as well as the right to serve in the same elective position. Consequently, it is not enough
that an individual has served three consecutive terms in an elective local office, he must [G.R. NO. 167798. APRIL 19, 2006.]
also have been elected to the same position for the same number of times before the
disqualification can apply. This point can be made clearer by considering
MICROSOFT VS MAXICORP (2004) KILUSANG MAYO UNO, NATIONAL FEDERATION OF
LABOR UNIONS-KILUSANG MAYO UNO (NAFLU-KMU),
MICROSOFT VS MAXICORP (2004)
JOSELITO V. USTAREZ, EMILIA P. DAPULANG,
the following cases or situations:
SALVADOR T. CARRANZA, MARTIN T. CUSTODIO, JR.
and ROQUE M. TAN, petitioners, vs. THE DIRECTOR-
GENERAL, NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Case No. 1. Suppose A is a vice-mayor who becomes mayor AUTHORITY, and THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF
by reason of the death of the incumbent. Six months before the next BUDGET and MANAGEMENT, respondents.
election, he resigns and is twice elected thereafter. Can he run again for
mayor in the next election?
successively.
FACTS: ISSUES:
This case involves two consolidated petitions for certiorari, prohibition, and Whether or not EO 420 is a usurpation of legislative power by the
mandamus under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court, seeking the nullification of Executive President.
Order No. 420 (EO 420) on the ground that it is unconstitutional. EO 420, issued by Whether or not EO 420 infringes on the citizen's right to privacy.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on 13 April 2005, reads:
HELD:
REQUIRING ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND GOVERNMENT-
OWNED AND CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS TO STREAMLINE AND HARMONIZE
THEIR IDENTIFICATION (ID) SYSTEMS, AND AUTHORIZING FOR SUCH PURPOSE
No, EO 420 is not a usurpation of legislative power by the President.
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL, NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT
Section 2 of EO 420 provides, "Coverage. — All government agencies and
AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT THE SAME, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
government-owned and controlled corporations issuing ID cards to their
members or constituents shall be covered by this executive order." EO 420
applies only to government entities that issue ID cards as part of their
Under EO 420, the President directs all government agencies and functions under existing laws. These government entities have already
government-owned and controlled corporations to adopt a uniform data collection and been issuing ID cards even prior to EO 420. Examples of these government
format for their existing identification (ID) systems. The purposes of the uniform ID data entities are the GSIS, SSS, Philhealth, Mayor's Office, LTO, PRC and
collection and ID format are to reduce costs, achieve efficiency and reliability, insure similar government entities. Section 1 of EO 420 directs these government
compatibility, and provide convenience to the people served by government entities. entities to "adopt a unified multi-purpose ID system." Thus, all government
Section 3 of EO 420 limits the data to be collected and recorded under the uniform ID entities that issue IDs as part of their functions under existing laws are
system to only 14 specific items, namely: (1) Name; (2) Home Address; (3) Sex; (4) required to adopt a uniform data collection and format for their IDs.
Picture; (5) Signature; (6) Date of Birth; (7) Place of Birth; (8) Marital Status; (9) Name of
Parents; (10) Height; (11) Weight; Second, the President may by executive or administrative
order direct the government entities under the Executive department to
adopt a uniform ID data collection and format. Section 17, Article VII of the
Two index fingers and two thumbmarks; (13) Any prominent distinguishing features 1987 Constitution provides that the "President shall have control of all
like moles or others; and (14) Tax Identification Number. Section 5 of EO 420 prescribes executive departments, bureaus and offices." The same Section also
the safeguards on the collection, recording, and disclosure of personal identification data mandates the President to "ensure that the laws be faithfully executed."
to protect the right to privacy. The following safeguards are instituted:
The data to be recorded and stored, which shall be used only for purposes of Certainly, under this constitutional power of control the
establishing the identity of a person, shall be limited President can direct all government entities, in the exercise of their
SES 2011
considering that existing regulations require government-
functions under existing laws, to adopt a uniform ID data collection and ID owned or controlled corporations and other agencies of
format to achieve savings, efficiency, reliability, compatibility, and government to procure their petroleum product requirements
convenience to the public. The President's constitutional power of control is from PETRON Corporation.
self-executing and does not need any implementing legislation.
No, EO 420 does not infringe on the citizen’s right to privacy. Section 3
of EO 420 limits the data to be collected and recorded under the uniform ID
system to only 14 specific items, namely: (1) Name; (2) Home Address;
Sex; (4) Picture; (5) Signature; (6) Date of Birth; (7) Place of Birth; (8)
Marital Status; (9) Name of Parents; (10) Height; (11) Weight; (12) Two
index fingers and two thumbmarks; (13) Any prominent distinguishing
features like moles or others; and (14) Tax Identification Number.
These limited and specific data are the usual data required for
personal identification by government entities, and even by the private
sector. Any one who applies for or renews a driver's license provides to the
LTO all these 14 specific data.
The data collected and stored for the unified ID system under
EO 420 will be limited to only 14 specific data, and the ID card itself will
show only eight specific data. The data collection, recording and ID card
system under EO 420 will even require less data collected, stored and
revealed than under the disparate systems prior to EO 420.
Data collected and stored for this purpose shall be kept and
treated as strictly confidential and a personal or written authorization of the
Owner shall be required for access and disclosure of data;
No. The COA is clothed under Section 2(2), Article IX-D of the 1987 HELD:
Constitution with the "exclusive authority, subject to the limitations in this Article, to define
the scope of its audit and examination, establish the techniques and methods required
therefor, and promulgate accounting and auditing rules, and regulations including those No. While two offerors were disqualified, PETRONAS for
for the prevention and disallowance of irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant or submitting a bid below the floor price and WESTMONT for technical
unconscionable expenditures, or uses of government funds and properties." The authority reasons, not all the offerors were disqualified. To constitute a failed bidding
granted under this constitutional provision, being broad and comprehensive enough, under the COA Circular, all the offerors must be disqualified.
enables COA to adopt as its own, simply by reiteration or by reference, without the
necessity of repromulgation, already existing rules and regulations. It may also expand
the coverage thereof to agencies or instrumentalities under its audit jurisdiction. It is in
Petitioners urge that in effect there was only one bidder and
this light that we view COA Memorandum No. 88-565 issued on August 1, 1988.
that it can not be said that there was a competition on "an equal footing. But
the COA Circular does not speak of accepted bids but of offerors, without
distinction as to whether they were disqualified.
WHEREFORE, the petition is hereby DISMISSED for being moot and
academic.
The COA itself, the agency that adopted the rules on bidding
procedure to be followed by government offices and corporations, had
upheld the validity and legality of the questioned bidding. The interpretation
of an agency of its own rules should be given more weight than the
ARTICLE IX - CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS D. COMMISSION ON interpretation by that agency of the law it is merely tasked to administer.
AUDIT BAGATSING VS. COMMITTEE ON PRIVATIZATION (G.R. NO.
112399 JULY 14, 1995)
The term limit for elective local officials must be taken to refer [G.R. NO. 167798. APRIL 19, 2006.]
to the right to be elected as well as the right to serve in the same elective
position. Consequently, it is not enough that an individual has served three
consecutive terms in an elective local office, he must also have been
elected to the same position for the same number of times before the KILUSANG MAYO UNO, NATIONAL FEDERATION OF
disqualification can apply. This point can be made clearer by considering LABOR UNIONS-KILUSANG MAYO UNO (NAFLU-KMU),
the following cases or situations: JOSELITO V. USTAREZ, EMILIA P. DAPULANG,
SALVADOR T. CARRANZA, MARTIN T. CUSTODIO, JR.
and ROQUE M. TAN, petitioners, vs. THE DIRECTOR-
GENERAL, NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Case No. 1. Suppose A is a vice-mayor who becomes mayor AUTHORITY, and THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF
by reason of the death of the incumbent. Six months before the next BUDGET and MANAGEMENT, respondents.
election, he resigns and is twice elected thereafter. Can he run again for
mayor in the next election?
successively.
FACTS: ISSUES:
This case involves two consolidated petitions for certiorari, prohibition, and Whether or not EO 420 is a usurpation of legislative power by the
mandamus under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court, seeking the nullification of Executive President.
Order No. 420 (EO 420) on the ground that it is unconstitutional. EO 420, issued by Whether or not EO 420 infringes on the citizen's right to privacy.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on 13 April 2005, reads:
HELD:
REQUIRING ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND GOVERNMENT-
OWNED AND CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS TO STREAMLINE AND HARMONIZE
THEIR IDENTIFICATION (ID) SYSTEMS, AND AUTHORIZING FOR SUCH PURPOSE
No, EO 420 is not a usurpation of legislative power by the President.
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL, NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT
Section 2 of EO 420 provides, "Coverage. — All government agencies and
AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT THE SAME, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
government-owned and controlled corporations issuing ID cards to their
members or constituents shall be covered by this executive order." EO 420
applies only to government entities that issue ID cards as part of their
Under EO 420, the President directs all government agencies and functions under existing laws. These government entities have already
government-owned and controlled corporations to adopt a uniform data collection and been issuing ID cards even prior to EO 420. Examples of these government
format for their existing identification (ID) systems. The purposes of the uniform ID data entities are the GSIS, SSS, Philhealth, Mayor's Office, LTO, PRC and
collection and ID format are to reduce costs, achieve efficiency and reliability, insure similar government entities. Section 1 of EO 420 directs these government
compatibility, and provide convenience to the people served by government entities. entities to "adopt a unified multi-purpose ID system." Thus, all government
Section 3 of EO 420 limits the data to be collected and recorded under the uniform ID entities that issue IDs as part of their functions under existing laws are
system to only 14 specific items, namely: (1) Name; (2) Home Address; (3) Sex; (4) required to adopt a uniform data collection and format for their IDs.
Picture; (5) Signature; (6) Date of Birth; (7) Place of Birth; (8) Marital Status; (9) Name of
Parents; (10) Height; (11) Weight; Second, the President may by executive or administrative
order direct the government entities under the Executive department to
adopt a uniform ID data collection and format. Section 17, Article VII of the
Two index fingers and two thumbmarks; (13) Any prominent distinguishing features 1987 Constitution provides that the "President shall have control of all
like moles or others; and (14) Tax Identification Number. Section 5 of EO 420 prescribes executive departments, bureaus and offices." The same Section also
the safeguards on the collection, recording, and disclosure of personal identification data mandates the President to "ensure that the laws be faithfully executed."
to protect the right to privacy. The following safeguards are instituted:
The data to be recorded and stored, which shall be used only for purposes of Certainly, under this constitutional power of control the
establishing the identity of a person, shall be limited President can direct all government entities, in the exercise of their
Of course, the President's power of control is limited to the Executive branch of government and does not extend to the Judiciary or to the independent
constitutional commissions. Thus, EO 420 does not apply to the Judiciary, or to the COMELEC which under existing laws is also authorized to issue voter's ID cards.
This only shows that EO 420 does not establish a national ID system because legislation is needed to establish a single ID system that is compulsory for all branches
of government.
Constitution also mandates the President to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed. There are several laws mandating government entities to
reduce costs, increase efficiency, and in general, improve public services.
The adoption of a uniform ID data collection and format under EO 420 is designed to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and in general, improve public
services. Thus, in issuing EO 420, the President is simply performing the constitutional duty to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed.
No, EO 420 does not infringe on the citizen’s right to privacy. Section 3 of EO 420 limits the data to be collected and recorded under the uniform ID system to
only 14 specific items, namely: (1) Name; (2) Home Address;
Sex; (4) Picture; (5) Signature; (6) Date of Birth; (7) Place of Birth; (8) Marital Status; (9) Name of Parents; (10) Height; (11) Weight; (12) Two index fingers and
two thumbmarks; (13) Any prominent distinguishing features like moles or others; and (14) Tax Identification Number.
These limited and specific data are the usual data required for personal identification by government entities, and even by the private sector. Any one
who applies for or renews a driver's license provides to the LTO all these 14 specific data.
The data collected and stored for the unified ID system under EO 420 will be limited to only 14 specific data, and the ID card itself will show only eight
specific data. The data collection, recording and ID card system under EO 420 will even require less data collected, stored and revealed than under the disparate
systems prior to EO 420.
Prior to EO 420, government entities had a free hand in determining the kind, nature and extent of data to be collected and stored for their ID systems.
Under EO 420, government entities can collect and record only the 14 specific data mentioned in Section 3 of EO 420. In addition, government entities can show in
their ID cards only eight of these specific data, seven less data than what the Supreme Court's ID shows.
Also, prior to EO 420, there was no executive issuance to government entities prescribing safeguards on the collection, recording, and disclosure of
personal identification data to protect the right to privacy. Now, under Section 5 of EO 420, the following safeguards are instituted:
The data to be recorded and stored, which shall be used only for purposes of establishing the identity of a person, shall be limited to those specified in
Section 3 of this executive order;
In no case shall the collection or compilation of other data in violation of a person's right to privacy be allowed or tolerated under this order;
Stringent systems of access control to data in the identification system shall be instituted;
Data collected and stored for this purpose shall be kept and treated as strictly confidential and a personal or written authorization of the Owner shall
be required for access and disclosure of data;
The identification card to be issued shall be protected by advanced security features and cryptographic technology;
A written request by the Owner of the identification card shall be required for any correction or revision of relevant data, or under such conditions as
the participating agency issuing the identification card shall prescribe.
In the present case, EO 420 does not establish a national ID system but makes the existing sectoral card systems of government entities like GSIS, SSS,
fice of the Treasurer of
Philhealth and LTO less costly, more efficient, reliable and user-friendly to the public. Hence, EO 420 is a proper subject
each city or municipality shall register the BMBE's and issue a Certificate of Authority to enable the BMBE
to avail of the benefits under this Act. Any such applications shall be processed within fifteen (15) working
days upon submission of complete documents. Otherwise, the BMBEs shall be deemed registered. The
Municipal or City Mayor may appoint a BMBE Registration Officer who shall be under the Office of the
Treasurer. Local government units (LGU's) are encouraged to establish a One-Stop-business Registration
Center to handle the efficient registration and processing of permits/licenses of BMBEs. Likewise, LGUs
shall make a periodic evaluation of the BMBE's financial status for monitoring and reporting purposes.
The LGUs shall issue the Certificate of Authority promptly and free of charge. However, to defray the
administrative costs of registering and monitoring the BMBEs, the LGUs may charge a fee renewal.
The Certificate of Authority shall be effective for a period of two (2) years, renewable for a period of two
(2) years for every renewal.
As much as possible, BMBEs shall be subject to minimal bureaucratic requirements and reasonable fees
and charges.
Section 5. Who are Eligible to Register – Any person, natural or juridical, or cooperative, or association,
having the qualifications as defined in Section 3(a) hereof may apply for registration as BMBE.
Section 6. Transfer of Ownership - The BMBE shall report to the city or municipality of any changer in the
status of its ownership structure, and shall surrender the original copy of the BMBE Certificate of Authority
for notation of the transfer.
INCENTIVES AND BENEFITS
Section 7. Exemption from Taxes and Fees – All BMBEs shall be exempt from tax for income arising from
the operations of the enterprise.
The LGUs are encouraged either to reduce the amount of local taxes, fees and charges imposed or to
exempt BMBEs from local taxes, fees and charges.
Section 8. Exemption from the Coverage of the Minimum Wage Law – The BMBEs shall be exempt from
the coverage of the Minimum Wage Law: Provided, That all employees covered under this Act shall be
entitled to the same benefits given to any regular employee such as social security and healthcare
benefits.
Section 9. Credit Delivery – upon the approval of this Act, the land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), the
Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), the Small Business Guarantee and Finance Corporation
(SBGFC), and the People's Credit and Finance Corporation (PCFC) shall set up a special credit window that
will service the financing needs of BMBEs registered under this Act consistent with the Banko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP) policies; rules and regulations. The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and
Social Security System (SSS) shall likewise set up a special credit window that will serve the financing
needs of their respective members who wish to establish a BMBE. The concerned financial institutions
(FIs) encouraged to wholesale the funds to accredited private financial institutions including community-
based organizations such as credit, cooperatives, non-government organizations (NGOs) and people's
organizations, which will in turn, directly provide credit support to BMBEs.
All loans from whatever sources granted to BMBEs under this Act shall be considered as part of alternative
compliance to Presidential Decree no, 717,, otherwise known as the Agri-Agra Law, or to Republic Act. No.
6977, known as the Magna Carta for Small and Medium Enterprises, as amended. For purposes of
compliance with presidential Decree no. 717 and Republic Act No. 6977, as amended, loans granted to
BMBEs under this Act shall be computed at twice the amount of the face value of the loans.
To minimize the risks in lending to the BMBEs, the SBGFC and the Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee
Corporation (QUEDANCOR) under the Department of Agriculture, in case of agribusiness activities, shall
set up a special guarantee window to provide the necessary credit guarantee to BMBEs unde rtheir
respective guarantee programs.
The LBP, DBP. PCFC, SBGFC, SSS, GSIS, and QUEDANCOR shall annually report to the appropriate
Committee of Both Houses of Congress on the status of the implementation of this provision.
The BSP shall formulate the rules for the implementation of this provision and shall likewise establish
incentive programs to encourage and improve credit delivery to the BMBEs.
Section 10. Technology Transfer, Production and Management Training, and marketing Assistance – A
BMBE Development Fund shall be set up with an endowment of Three Hundred Million pesos
(P300,000,000.00) from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and shall be
administered by the SMED Council.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the
university of the Philippines Institute for Small Scale Industries (UP ISSI), Cooperative Development
Authority (CDA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Technology and
Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) may avail of the said Fund for technology transfer, production and
management training and marketing assistance to BMBEs.
The DTI, in coordination with the private sector and non-government organization (NGOs), shall explore
the possibilities of linking or matching-up BMBEs with small, medium and large enterprises and likewise
establish incentives therefor.
The DTI, in behalf of the DOST, UP ISSI, CDA. TESDA and TLRC shall be required to furnish the
appropriate Committees of both Houses of Congress a yearly report on the development and
accomplishments of their projects and programs in relation to technology transfer, production and
management training and marketing assistance extended to BMBEs.
Section 11. Trade and Investment Promotions – The data gathered from business registration shall be
made accessible to and shall be utilized by private sector organizations and non-government organizations
for purposes of business matching, trade and investment promotion.
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
Section 12. Information Dissemination - The Philippine Information Agency (PIA), in accordance with the
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the DILG and the DTI, shall ensure the proper and
adequate information dissemination of the contents and benefits of this Act to the general public especially
to its intended beneficiaries specifically in the barangay level.
PENALTY
Section 13. Penalty - Any person who shall willfully violates any provision of this Act or who shall in any
manner commit any act to defeat any provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine
of not less than twenty-five Thousand Pesos (P25,000.00) but not more than Fifty Thousand Pesos
(P50,000.00) and suffer imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than two (2) years.
In case of non-compliance with the provisions of Section 9 of this Act, the BSP shall impose administrative
sanctions and other penalties on the concerned government financial institutions, including a fine of not
less than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00)
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 14. Annual Report – The DILG, DTI, and BSP shall submit an annual report to the Congress on
the status of the implementation of this Act.
Section 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations – The Secretary of the Department of Trade and
Industry, in consultation with the Secretaries of the DILG, DOF, and the BSP Governor shall formulate the
necessary ruled and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days after its
approval. The rules and regulations issued pursuant to this section shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
Section 16. Separably Clause - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or unconstitutional, the
remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
Section 17. Repealing Clause – Existing laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, proclamations or
administrative regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended,
modified, superseded or repealed accordingly.
Section 18. Effectivity – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Office
Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation.
enterprise engaged in the production, processing or manufacturing of products or commodities, including
agro-processing, trading and services, whose total assets including those arising from loans but exclusive
of the land on which the particular business entity's office, plant and equipment are situated, shall not be
more than Three Million Pesos (P3,000,000.00) The Above definition shall be subjected to review and
upward adjustment by the SMED Council, as mandated under Republic Act No. 6977, as amended by
Republic Act No. 8289.
For the purpose of this Act, "service" shall exclude those rendered by any one, who is duly licensed
government after having passed a government licensure examination, in connection with the exercise of
one's profession.
(b) "Certificate of Authority" is the certificate issued granting the authority to the registered BMBE to
operate and be entitled to the benefits and privileges accorded thereto.
(c) "Assets" refers to all kinds of properties, real or personal, owned by the BMBE and used for the
conduct of its business as defined by the SMED Council: Provided, That for the purpose of exemption from
taxes and fees under this Act, this term shall mean all kinds of properties, real or personal, owned and/or
used by the BMBE for the conduct of its business as defined by the SMED Council.
(d) "Registration" refers to the inclusion of BMBE in the BMBE Registry of a city or municipality.
(e) "Financing" refers to all borrowings of the BMBE from all sources after registration.
REGISTRATION AND OPERATION OF BMBE
Section 4. Registration and Fees - The Office of the Treasurer of each city or municipality shall register
the BMBE's and issue a Certificate of Authority to enable the BMBE to avail of the benefits under this Act.
Any such applications shall be processed within fifteen (15) working days upon submission of complete
documents. Otherwise, the BMBEs shall be deemed registered. The Municipal or City Mayor may appoint a
BMBE Registration Officer who shall be under the Office of the Treasurer. Local government units (LGU's)
are encouraged to establish a One-Stop-business Registration Center to handle the efficient registration
and processing of permits/licenses of BMBEs. Likewise, LGUs shall make a periodic evaluation of the
BMBE's financial status for monitoring and reporting purposes.
The LGUs shall issue the Certificate of Authority promptly and free of charge. However, to defray the
administrative costs of registering and monitoring the BMBEs, the LGUs may charge a fee renewal.
The Certificate of Authority shall be effective for a period of two (2) years, renewable for a period of two
(2) years for every renewal.
As much as possible, BMBEs shall be subject to minimal bureaucratic requirements and reasonable fees
and charges.
Section 5. Who are Eligible to Register – Any person, natural or juridical, or cooperative, or association,
having the qualifications as defined in Section 3(a) hereof may apply for registration as BMBE.
Section 6. Transfer of Ownership - The BMBE shall report to the city or municipality of any changer in the
status of its ownership structure, and shall surrender the original copy of the BMBE Certificate of Authority
for notation of the transfer.
INCENTIVES AND BENEFITS
Section 7. Exemption from Taxes and Fees – All BMBEs shall be exempt from tax for income arising from
the operations of the enterprise.
The LGUs are encouraged either to reduce the amount of local taxes, fees and charges imposed or to
exempt BMBEs from local taxes, fees and charges.
Section 8. Exemption from the Coverage of the Minimum Wage Law – The BMBEs shall be exempt from
the coverage of the Minimum Wage Law: Provided, That all employees covered under this Act shall be
entitled to the same benefits given to any regular employee such as social security and healthcare
benefits.
Section 9. Credit Delivery – upon the approval of this Act, the land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), the
Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), the Small Business Guarantee and Finance Corporation
(SBGFC), and the People's Credit and Finance Corporation (PCFC) shall set up a special credit window that
will service the financing needs of BMBEs registered under this Act consistent with the Banko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP) policies; rules and regulations. The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and
Social Security System (SSS) shall likewise set up a special credit window that will serve the financing
needs of their respective members who wish to establish a BMBE. The concerned financial institutions
(FIs) encouraged to wholesale the funds to accredited private financial institutions including community-
based organizations such as credit, cooperatives, non-government organizations (NGOs) and people's
organizations, which will in turn, directly provide credit support to BMBEs.
All loans from whatever sources granted to BMBEs under this Act shall be considered as part of alternative
compliance to Presidential Decree no, 717,, otherwise known as the Agri-Agra Law, or to Republic Act. No.
6977, known as the Magna Carta for Small and Medium Enterprises, as amended. For purposes of
compliance with presidential Decree no. 717 and Republic Act No. 6977, as amended, loans granted to
BMBEs under this Act shall be computed at twice the amount of the face value of the loans.
To minimize the risks in lending to the BMBEs, the SBGFC and the Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee
Corporation (QUEDANCOR) under the Department of Agriculture, in case of agribusiness activities, shall
set up a special guarantee window to provide the necessary credit guarantee to BMBEs unde rtheir
respective guarantee programs.
The LBP, DBP. PCFC, SBGFC, SSS, GSIS, and QUEDANCOR shall annually report to the appropriate
Committee of Both Houses of Congress on the status of the implementation of this provision.
The BSP shall formulate the rules for the implementation of this provision and shall likewise establish
incentive programs to encourage and improve credit delivery to the BMBEs.
Section 10. Technology Transfer, Production and Management Training, and marketing Assistance – A
BMBE Development Fund shall be set up with an endowment of Three Hundred Million pesos
(P300,000,000.00) from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and shall be
administered by the SMED Council.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the
university of the Philippines Institute for Small Scale Industries (UP ISSI), Cooperative Development
Authority (CDA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Technology and
Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) may avail of the said Fund for technology transfer, production and
management training and marketing assistance to BMBEs.
The DTI, in coordination with the private sector and non-government organization (NGOs), shall explore
the possibilities of linking or matching-up BMBEs with small, medium and large enterprises and likewise
establish incentives therefor.
The DTI, in behalf of the DOST, UP ISSI, CDA. TESDA and TLRC shall be required to furnish the
appropriate Committees of both Houses of Congress a yearly report on the development and
accomplishments of their projects and programs in relation to technology transfer, production and
management training and marketing assistance extended to BMBEs.
Section 11. Trade and Investment Promotions – The data gathered from business registration shall be
made accessible to and shall be utilized by private sector organizations and non-government organizations
for purposes of business matching, trade and investment promotion.
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
Section 12. Information Dissemination - The Philippine Information Agency (PIA), in accordance with the
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the DILG and the DTI, shall ensure the proper and
adequate information dissemination of the contents and benefits of this Act to the general public especially
to its intended beneficiaries specifically in the barangay level.
PENALTY
Section 13. Penalty - Any person who shall willfully violates any provision of this Act or who shall in any
manner commit any act to defeat any provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine
of not less than twenty-five Thousand Pesos (P25,000.00) but not more than Fifty Thousand Pesos
(P50,000.00) and suffer imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than two (2) years.
In case of non-compliance with the provisions of Section 9 of this Act, the BSP shall impose administrative
sanctions and other penalties on the concerned government financial institutions, including a fine of not
less than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00)
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 14. Annual Report – The DILG, DTI, and BSP shall submit an annual report to the Congress on
the status of the implementation of this Act.
Section 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations – The Secretary of the Department of Trade and
Industry, in consultation with the Secretaries of the DILG, DOF, and the BSP Governor shall formulate the
necessary ruled and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days after its
approval. The rules and regulations issued pursuant to this section shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
Section 16. Separably Clause - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or unconstitutional, the
remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
Section 17. Repealing Clause – Existing laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, proclamations or
administrative regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended,
modified, superseded or repealed accordingly.
Section 18. Effectivity – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Office
Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation.
De Guzman v. Comelec, GR 146319, October 26, 2001
31, 1996 decision2 of the Regional Trial Court of Makati, Branch 133, in Civil Case No. 92-516 which declared private respondents
Shoemart Inc. (SMI) and North Edsa Marketing Inc. (NEMI) liable for infringement of trademark and copyright, and unfair
competition.
FACTUAL ANTECEDENTS
The May 22, 2001 decision of the Court of Appeals3 contained a summary of this dispute:
"Plaintiff-appellant Pearl and Dean (Phil.), Inc. is a corporation engaged in the manufacture of advertising display units simply
referred to as light boxes. These units utilize specially printed posters sandwiched between plastic sheets and illuminated with back
lights. Pearl and Dean was able to secure a Certificate of Copyright Registration dated January 20, 1981 over these illuminated
display units. The advertising light boxes were marketed under the trademark "Poster Ads". The application for registration of the
trademark was filed with the Bureau of Patents, Trademarks and Technology Transfer on June 20, 1983, but was approved only on
September 12, 1988, per Registration No. 41165. From 1981 to about 1988, Pearl and Dean employed the services of Metro
Industrial Services to manufacture its advertising displays.
Sometime in 1985, Pearl and Dean negotiated with defendant-appellant Shoemart, Inc. (SMI) for the lease and installation of the
light boxes in SM City North Edsa. Since SM City North Edsa was under construction at that time, SMI offered as an alternative, SM
Makati and SM Cubao, to which Pearl and Dean agreed. On September 11, 1985, Pearl and Dean’s General Manager, Rodolfo Vergara,
submitted for signature the contracts covering SM Cubao and SM Makati to SMI’s Advertising Promotions and Publicity Division
Manager, Ramonlito Abano. Only the contract for SM Makati, however, was returned signed. On October 4, 1985, Vergara wrote
Abano inquiring about the other co De Guzman v. Comelec, GR 146319, October 26, 2001
De Guzman v. Comelec, GR 146319, October 26, 2001
De Guzman v. Comelec, GR 146319, October 26, 2001
De Guzman v. Comelec, GR 146319, October 26, 2001
De Guzman v. Comelec, GR 146319, October 26, 2001
De Guzman v. Comelec, GR 146319, October 26, 2001
De Guzman v. Comelec, GR 146319, October 26, 2001
De Guzman v. Comelec, GR 146319, October 26, 2001
De Guzman v. Comelec, GR 146319, October 26, 2001
De Guzman v. Comelec, GR 146319, October 26, 2001
ntract and reminding him that their agreement for installation of light boxes was not only for its SM Makati branch, but also for SM
Cubao. SMI did not bother to reply.
Instead, in a letter dated January 14, 1986, SMI’s house counsel informed Pearl and Dean that it was rescinding the contract for SM
Makati due to non-performance of the terms thereof. In his reply dated February 17, 1986, Vergara protested the unilateral action
of SMI, saying it was without basis. In the same letter, he pushed for the signing of the contract for SM Cubao.
Two years later, Metro Industrial Services, the company formerly contracted by Pearl and Dean to fabricate its display units, offered
to construct light boxes for Shoemart’s chain of stores. SMI approved the proposal and ten (10) light boxes were subsequently
fabricated by Metro Industrial for SMI. After its contract with Metro Industrial was terminated, SMI engaged the services of EYD
Rainbow Advertising Corporation to make the light boxes. Some 300 units were fabricated in 1991. These were delivered on a
staggered basis and installed at SM Megamall and SM City.
Sometime in 1989, Pearl and Dean, received reports that exact copies of its light boxes were installed at SM City and in the fastfood
section of SM Cubao. Upon investigation, Pearl and Dean found out that aside from the two (2) reported SM branches, light boxes
similar to those it manufactures were also installed in two (2) other SM stores. It further discovered that defendant-appellant North
Edsa Marketing Inc. (NEMI), through its marketing arm, Prime Spots Marketing Services, was set up primarily to sell advertising
space in lighted display units located in SMI’s different branches. Pearl and Dean noted that NEMI is a sister company of SMI.
In the light of its discoveries, Pearl and Dean sent a letter dated December 11, 1991 to both SMI and NEMI enjoining them to cease
using the subject light boxes and to remove the same from SMI’s establishments. It also demanded the discontinued use of the
trademark "Poster Ads," and the payment to Pearl and Dean of compensatory damages in the amount of Twenty Million Pesos
(P20,000,000.00).
Upon receipt of the demand letter, SMI suspended the leasing of two hundred twenty-four (224) light boxes and NEMI took down
its advertisements for "Poster Ads" from the lighted display units in SMI’s stores. Claiming that both SMI and NEMI failed to meet
all its demands, Pearl and Dean filed this instant case for infringement of trademark and copyright, unfair competition and
damages.
In denying the charges hurled against it, SMI maintained that it independently developed its poster panels using commonly known
techniques and available technology, without notice of or reference to Pearl and Dean’s copyright. SMI noted that the registration of
the mark "Poster Ads" was only for stationeries such as letterheads, envelopes, and the like. Besides, according to SMI, the word
"Poster Ads" is a generic term which cannot be appropriated as a trademark, and, as such, registration of such mark is invalid. It
also stressed that Pearl and Dean is not entitled to the reliefs prayed for in its complaint since its advertising display units contained
no copyright notice, in violation of Section 27 of P.D. 49. SMI alleged that Pearl and Dean had no cause of action against it and that
the suit was purely intended to malign SMI’s good name. On this basis, SMI, aside from praying for the dismissal of the case, also
counterclaimed for moral, actual and exemplary damages and for the cancellation of Pearl and Dean’s Certification of Copyright
Registration No. PD-R-2558 dated January 20, 1981 and Certificate of Trademark Registration No. 4165 dated September 12, 1988.
NEMI, for its part, denied having manufactured, installed or used any advertising display units, nor having engaged in the business
of advertising. It repleaded SMI’s averments, admissions and denials and prayed for similar reliefs and counterclaims as SMI."
The RTC of Makati City decided in favor of P & D:
Wherefore, defendants SMI and NEMI are found jointly and severally liable for infringement of copyright under Section 2 of PD 49,
as amended, and infringement of trademark under Section 22 of RA No. 166, as amended, and are hereby penalized under
Section31, 1996 decision2 of the Regional Trial Court of Makati, Branch 133, in Civil Case No. 92-516 which declared private
respondents Shoemart Inc. (SMI) and North Edsa Marketing Inc. (NEMI) liable for infringement of trademark and copyright, and
unfair competition.
FACTUAL ANTECEDENTS
The May 22, 2001 decision of the Court of Appeals3 contained a summary of this dispute:
"Plaintiff-appellant Pearl and Dean (Phil.), Inc. is a corporation engaged in the manufacture of advertising display units simply
referred to as light boxes. These units utilize specially printed posters sandwiched between plastic sheets and illuminated with back
lights. Pearl and Dean was able to secure a Certificate of Copyright Registration dated January 20, 1981 over these illuminated
display units. The advertising light boxes were marketed under the trademark "Poster Ads". The application for registration of the
trademark was filed with the Bureau of Patents, Trademarks and Technology Transfer on June 20, 1983, but was approved only on
September 12, 1988, per Registration No. 41165. From 1981 to about 1988, Pearl and Dean employed the services of Metro
Industrial Services to manufacture its advertising displays.
Sometime in 1985, Pearl and Dean negotiated with defendant-appellant Shoemart, Inc. (SMI) for the lease and installation of the
light boxes in SM City North Edsa. Since SM City North Edsa was under construction at that time, SMI offered as an alternative, SM
Makati and SM Cubao, to which Pearl and Dean agreed. On September 11, 1985, Pearl and Dean’s General Manager, Rodolfo
Vergara, submitted for signature the contracts covering SM Cubao and SM Makati to SMI’s Advertising Promotions and Publicity
Division Manager, Ramonlito Abano. Only the contract for SM Makati, however, was returned signed. On October 4, 1985, Vergara
wrote Abano inquiring about the other contract and reminding him that their agreement for installation of light boxes was not only
for its SM Makati branch, but also for SM Cubao. SMI did not bother to reply.
Instead, in a letter dated January 14, 1986, SMI’s house counsel informed Pearl and Dean that it was rescinding the contract for SM
Makati due to non-performance of the terms thereof. In his reply dated February 17, 1986, Vergara protested the unilateral action
of SMI, saying it was without basis. In the same letter, he pushed for the signing of the contract for SM Cubao.
Two years later, Metro Industrial Services, the company formerly contracted by Pearl and Dean to fabricate its display units, offered
to construct light boxes for Shoemart’s chain of stores. SMI approved the proposal and ten (10) light boxes were subsequently
fabricated by Metro Industrial for SMI. After its contract with Metro Industrial was terminated, SMI engaged the services of EYD
Rainbow Advertising Corporation to make the light boxes. Some 300 units were fabricated in 1991. These were delivered on a
staggered basis and installed at SM Megamall and SM City.
Sometime in 1989, Pearl and Dean, received reports that exact copies of its light boxes were installed at SM City and in the fastfood
section of SM Cubao. Upon investigation, Pearl and Dean found out that aside from the two (2) reported SM branches, light boxes
similar to those it manufactures were also installed in two (2) other SM stores. It further discovered that defendant-appellant North
Edsa Marketing Inc. (NEMI), through its marketing arm, Prime Spots Marketing Services, was set up primarily to sell advertising
space in lighted display units located in SMI’s different branches. Pearl and Dean noted that NEMI is a sister company of SMI.
In the light of its discoveries, Pearl and Dean sent a letter dated December 11, 1991 to both SMI and NEMI enjoining them to cease
using the subject light boxes and to remove the same from SMI’s establishments. It also demanded the discontinued use of the
trademark "Poster Ads," and the payment to Pearl and Dean of compensatory damages in the amount of Twenty Million Pesos
(P20,000,000.00).
Upon receipt of the demand letter, SMI suspended the leasing of two hundred twenty-four (224) light boxes and NEMI took down
its advertisements for "Poster Ads" from the lighted display units in SMI’s stores. Claiming that both SMI and NEMI failed to meet
all its demands, Pearl and Dean filed this instant case for infringement of trademark and copyright, unfair competition and
damages.
In denying the charges hurled against it, SMI maintained that it independently developed its poster panels using commonly known
techniques and available technology, without notice of or reference to Pearl and Dean’s copyright. SMI noted that the registration of
the mark "Poster Ads" was only for stationeries such as letterheads, envelopes, and the like. Besides, according to SMI, the word
"Poster Ads" is a generic term which cannot be appropriated as a trademark, and, as such, registration of such mark is invalid. It
also stressed that Pearl and Dean is not entitled to the reliefs prayed for in its complaint since its advertising display units contained
no copyright notice, in violation of Section 27 of P.D. 49. SMI alleged that Pearl and Dean had no cause of action against it and that
the suit was purely intended to malign SMI’s good name. On this basis, SMI, aside from praying for the dismissal of the case, also
counterclaimed for moral, actual and exemplary damages and for the cancellation of Pearl and Dean’s Certification of Copyright
Registration No. PD-R-2558 dated January 20, 1981 and Certificate of Trademark Registration No. 4165 dated September 12, 1988.
NEMI, for its part, denied having manufactured, installed or used any advertising display units, nor having engaged in the business
of advertising. It repleaded SMI’s averments, admissions and denials and prayed for similar reliefs and counterclaims as SMI."
The RTC of Makati City decided in favor of P & D:
Wherefore, defendants SMI and NEMI are found jointly and severally liable for infringement of copyright under Section 2 of PD 49,
as amended, and infringement of trademark under Section 22 of RA No. 166, as amended, and are hereby penalized under
Section31, 1996 decision2 of the Regional Trial Court of Makati, Branch 133, in Civil Case No. 92-516 which declared private
respondents Shoemart Inc. (SMI) and North Edsa Marketing Inc. (NEMI) liable for infringement of trademark and copyright, and
unfair competition.
FACTUAL ANTECEDENTS
The May 22, 2001 decision of the Court of Appeals3 contained a summary of this dispute:
"Plaintiff-appellant Pearl and Dean (Phil.), Inc. is a corporation engaged in the manufacture of advertising display units simply
referred to as light boxes. These units utilize specially printed posters sandwiched between plastic sheets and illuminated with back
lights. Pearl and Dean was able to secure a Certificate of Copyright Registration dated January 20, 1981 over these illuminated
display units. The advertising light boxes were marketed under the trademark "Poster Ads". The application for registration of the
trademark was filed with the Bureau of Patents, Trademarks and Technology Transfer on June 20, 1983, but was approved only on
September 12, 1988, per Registration No. 41165. From 1981 to about 1988, Pearl and Dean employed the services of Metro
Industrial Services to manufacture its advertising displays.
Sometime in 1985, Pearl and Dean negotiated with defendant-appellant Shoemart, Inc. (SMI) for the lease and installation of the
light boxes in SM City North Edsa. Since SM City North Edsa was under construction at that time, SMI offered as an alternative, SM
Makati and SM Cubao, to which Pearl and Dean agreed. On September 11, 1985, Pearl and Dean’s General Manager, Rodolfo
Vergara, submitted for signature the contracts covering SM Cubao and SM Makati to SMI’s Advertising Promotions and Publicity
Division Manager, Ramonlito Abano. Only the contract for SM Makati, however, was returned signed. On October 4, 1985, Vergara
wrote Abano inquiring about the other contract and reminding him that their agreement for installation of light boxes was not only
for its SM Makati branch, but also for SM Cubao. SMI did not bother to reply.
Instead, in a letter dated January 14, 1986, SMI’s house counsel informed Pearl and Dean that it was rescinding the contract for SM
Makati due to non-performance of the terms thereof. In his reply dated February 17, 1986, Vergara protested the unilateral action
of SMI, saying it was without basis. In the same letter, he pushed for the signing of the contract for SM Cubao.
Two years later, Metro Industrial Services, the company formerly contracted by Pearl and Dean to fabricate its display units, offered
to construct light boxes for Shoemart’s chain of stores. SMI approved the proposal and ten (10) light boxes were subsequently
fabricated by Metro Industrial for SMI. After its contract with Metro Industrial was terminated, SMI engaged the services of EYD
Rainbow Advertising Corporation to make the light boxes. Some 300 units were fabricated in 1991. These were delivered on a
staggered basis and installed at SM Megamall and SM City.
Sometime in 1989, Pearl and Dean, received reports that exact copies of its light boxes were installed at SM City and in the fastfood
section of SM Cubao. Upon investigation, Pearl and Dean found out that aside from the two (2) reported SM branches, light boxes
similar to those it manufactures were also installed in two (2) other SM stores. It further discovered that defendant-appellant North
Edsa Marketing Inc. (NEMI), through its marketing arm, Prime Spots Marketing Services, was set up primarily to sell advertising
space in lighted display units located in SMI’s different branches. Pearl and Dean noted that NEMI is a sister company of SMI.
In the light of its discoveries, Pearl and Dean sent a letter dated December 11, 1991 to both SMI and NEMI enjoining them to cease
using the subject light boxes and to remove the same from SMI’s establishments. It also demanded the discontinued use of the
trademark "Poster Ads," and the payment to Pearl and Dean of compensatory damages in the amount of Twenty Million Pesos
(P20,000,000.00).
Upon receipt of the demand letter, SMI suspended the leasing of two hundred twenty-four (224) light boxes and NEMI took down
its advertisements for "Poster Ads" from the lighted display units in SMI’s stores. Claiming that both SMI and NEMI failed to meet
all its demands, Pearl and Dean filed this instant case for infringement of trademark and copyright, unfair competition and
damages.
In denying the charges hurled against it, SMI maintained that it independently developed its poster panels using commonly known
techniques and available technology, without notice of or reference to Pearl and Dean’s copyright. SMI noted that the registration of
the mark "Poster Ads" was only for stationeries such as letterheads, envelopes, and the like. Besides, according to SMI, the word
"Poster Ads" is a generic term which cannot be appropriated as a trademark, and, as such, registration of such mark is invalid. It
also stressed that Pearl and Dean is not entitled to the reliefs prayed for in its complaint since its advertising display units contained
no copyright notice, in violation of Section 27 of P.D. 49. SMI alleged that Pearl and Dean had no cause of action against it and that
the suit was purely intended to malign SMI’s good name. On this basis, SMI, aside from praying for the dismissal of the case, also
counterclaimed for moral, actual and exemplary damages and for the cancellation of Pearl and Dean’s Certification of Copyright
Registration No. PD-R-2558 dated January 20, 1981 and Certificate of Trademark Registration No. 4165 dated September 12, 1988.
NEMI, for its part, denied having manufactured, installed or used any advertising display units, nor having engaged in the business
of advertising. It repleaded SMI’s averments, admissions and denials and prayed for similar reliefs and counterclaims as SMI."
The RTC of Makati City decided in favor of P & D:
Wherefore, defendants SMI and NEMI are found jointly and severally liable for infringement of copyright under Section 2 of PD 49,
as amended, and infringement of trademark under Section 22 of RA No. 166, as amended, and are hereby penalized under
Section31, 1996 decision2 of the Regional Trial Court of Makati, Branch 133, in Civil Case No. 92-516 which declared private
respondents Shoemart Inc. (SMI) and North Edsa Marketing Inc. (NEMI) liable for infringement of trademark and copyright, and
unfair competition.
FACTUAL ANTECEDENTS
The May 22, 2001 decision of the Court of Appeals3 contained a summary of this dispute:
"Plaintiff-appellant Pearl and Dean (Phil.), Inc. is a corporation engaged in the manufacture of advertising display units simply
referred to as light boxes. These units utilize specially printed posters sandwiched between plastic sheets and illuminated with back
lights. Pearl and Dean was able to secure a Certificate of Copyright Registration dated January 20, 1981 over these illuminated
display units. The advertising light boxes were marketed under the trademark "Poster Ads". The application for registration of the
trademark was filed with the Bureau of Patents, Trademarks and Technology Transfer on June 20, 1983, but was approved only on
September 12, 1988, per Registration No. 41165. From 1981 to about 1988, Pearl and Dean employed the services of Metro
Industrial Services to manufacture its advertising displays.
Sometime in 1985, Pearl and Dean negotiated with defendant-appellant Shoemart, Inc. (SMI) for the lease and installation of the
light boxes in SM City North Edsa. Since SM City North Edsa was under construction at that time, SMI offered as an alternative, SM
Makati and SM Cubao, to which Pearl and Dean agreed. On September 11, 1985, Pearl and Dean’s General Manager, Rodolfo
Vergara, submitted for signature the contracts covering SM Cubao and SM Makati to SMI’s Advertising Promotions and Publicity
Division Manager, Ramonlito Abano. Only the contract for SM Makati, however, was returned signed. On October 4, 1985, Vergara
wrote Abano inquiring about the other contract and reminding him that their agreement for installation of light boxes was not only
for its SM Makati branch, but also for SM Cubao. SMI did not bother to reply.
Instead, in a letter dated January 14, 1986, SMI’s house counsel informed Pearl and Dean that it was rescinding the contract for SM
Makati due to non-performance of the terms thereof. In his reply dated February 17, 1986, Vergara protested the unilateral action
of SMI, saying it was without basis. In the same letter, he pushed for the signing of the contract for SM Cubao.
Two years later, Metro Industrial Services, the company formerly contracted by Pearl and Dean to fabricate its display units, offered
to construct light boxes for Shoemart’s chain of stores. SMI approved the proposal and ten (10) light boxes were subsequently
fabricated by Metro Industrial for SMI. After its contract with Metro Industrial was terminated, SMI engaged the services of EYD
Rainbow Advertising Corporation to make the light boxes. Some 300 units were fabricated in 1991. These were delivered on a
staggered basis and installed at SM Megamall and SM City.
Sometime in 1989, Pearl and Dean, received reports that exact copies of its light boxes were installed at SM City and in the fastfood
section of SM Cubao. Upon investigation, Pearl and Dean found out that aside from the two (2) reported SM branches, light boxes
similar to those it manufactures were also installed in two (2) other SM stores. It further discovered that defendant-appellant North
Edsa Marketing Inc. (NEMI), through its marketing arm, Prime Spots Marketing Services, was set up primarily to sell advertising
space in lighted display units located in SMI’s different branches. Pearl and Dean noted that NEMI is a sister company of SMI.
In the light of its discoveries, Pearl and Dean sent a letter dated December 11, 1991 to both SMI and NEMI enjoining them to cease
using the subject light boxes and to remove the same from SMI’s establishments. It also demanded the discontinued use of the
trademark "Poster Ads," and the payment to Pearl and Dean of compensatory damages in the amount of Twenty Million Pesos
(P20,000,000.00).
Upon receipt of the demand letter, SMI suspended the leasing of two hundred twenty-four (224) light boxes and NEMI took down
its advertisements for "Poster Ads" from the lighted display units in SMI’s stores. Claiming that both SMI and NEMI failed to meet
all its demands, Pearl and Dean filed this instant case for infringement of trademark and copyright, unfair competition and
damages.
In denying the charges hurled against it, SMI maintained that it independently developed its poster panels using commonly known
techniques and available technology, without notice of or reference to Pearl and Dean’s copyright. SMI noted that the registration of
the mark "Poster Ads" was only for stationeries such as letterheads, envelopes, and the like. Besides, according to SMI, the word
"Poster Ads" is a generic term which cannot be appropriated as a trademark, and, as such, registration of such mark is invalid. It
also stressed that Pearl and Dean is not entitled to the reliefs prayed for in its complaint since its advertising display units contained
no copyright notice, in violation of Section 27 of P.D. 49. SMI alleged that Pearl and Dean had no cause of action against it and that
the suit was purely intended to malign SMI’s good name. On this basis, SMI, aside from praying for the dismissal of the case, also
counterclaimed for moral, actual and exemplary damages and for the cancellation of Pearl and Dean’s Certification of Copyright
Registration No. PD-R-2558 dated January 20, 1981 and Certificate of Trademark Registration No. 4165 dated September 12, 1988.
NEMI, for its part, denied having manufactured, installed or used any advertising display units, nor having engaged in the business
of advertising. It repleaded SMI’s averments, admissions and denials and prayed for similar reliefs and counterclaims as SMI."
The RTC of Makati City decided in favor of P & D:
Wherefore, defendants SMI and NEMI are found jointly and severally liable for infringement of copyright under Section 2 of PD 49,
as amended, and infringement of trademark under Section 22 of RA No. 166, as amended, and are hereby penalized under
Sectionv31, 1996 decision2 of the Regional Trial Court of Makati, Branch 133, in Civil Case No. 92-516 which declared private
respondents Shoemart Inc. (SMI) and North Edsa Marketing Inc. (NEMI) liable for infringement of trademark and copyright, and
unfair competition.
FACTUAL ANTECEDENTS
The May 22, 2001 decision of the Court of Appeals3 contained a summary of this dispute:
"Plaintiff-appellant Pearl and Dean (Phil.), Inc. is a corporation engaged in the manufacture of advertising display units simply
referred to as light boxes. These units utilize specially printed posters sandwiched between plastic sheets and illuminated with back
lights. Pearl and Dean was able to secure a Certificate of Copyright Registration dated January 20, 1981 over these illuminated
display units. The advertising light boxes were marketed under the trademark "Poster Ads". The application for registration of the
trademark was filed with the Bureau of Patents, Trademarks and Technology Transfer on June 20, 1983, but was approved only on
September 12, 1988, per Registration No. 41165. From 1981 to about 1988, Pearl and Dean employed the services of Metro
Industrial Services to manufacture its advertising displays.
Sometime in 1985, Pearl and Dean negotiated with defendant-appellant Shoemart, Inc. (SMI) for the lease and installation of the
light boxes in SM City North Edsa. Since SM City North Edsa was under construction at that time, SMI offered as an alternative, SM
Makati and SM Cubao, to which Pearl and Dean agreed. On September 11, 1985, Pearl and Dean’s General Manager, Rodolfo
Vergara, submitted for signature the contracts covering SM Cubao and SM Makati to SMI’s Advertising Promotions and Publicity
Division Manager, Ramonlito Abano. Only the contract for SM Makati, however, was returned signed. On October 4, 1985, Vergara
wrote Abano inquiring about the other contract and reminding him that their agreement for installation of light boxes was not only
for its SM Makati branch, but also for SM Cubao. SMI did not bother to reply.
Instead, in a letter dated January 14, 1986, SMI’s house counsel informed Pearl and Dean that it was rescinding the contract for SM
Makati due to non-performance of the terms thereof. In his reply dated February 17, 1986, Vergara protested the unilateral action
of SMI, saying it was without basis. In the same letter, he pushed for the signing of the contract for SM Cubao.
Two years later, Metro Industrial Services, the company formerly contracted by Pearl and Dean to fabricate its display units, offered
to construct light boxes for Shoemart’s chain of stores. SMI approved the proposal and ten (10) light boxes were subsequently
fabricated by Metro Industrial for SMI. After its contract with Metro Industrial was terminated, SMI engaged the services of EYD
Rainbow Advertising Corporation to make the light boxes. Some 300 units were fabricated in 1991. These were delivered on a
staggered basis and installed at SM Megamall and SM City.
Sometime in 1989, Pearl and Dean, received reports that exact copies of its light boxes were installed at SM City and in the fastfood
section of SM Cubao. Upon investigation, Pearl and Dean found out that aside from the two (2) reported SM branches, light boxes
similar to those it manufactures were also installed in two (2) other SM stores. It further discovered that defendant-appellant North
Edsa Marketing Inc. (NEMI), through its marketing arm, Prime Spots Marketing Services, was set up primarily to sell advertising
space in lighted display units located in SMI’s different branches. Pearl and Dean noted that NEMI is a sister company of SMI.
In the light of its discoveries, Pearl and Dean sent a letter dated December 11, 1991 to both SMI and NEMI enjoining them to cease
using the subject light boxes and to remove the same from SMI’s establishments. It also demanded the discontinued use of the
trademark "Poster Ads," and the payment to Pearl and Dean of compensatory damages in the amount of Twenty Million Pesos
(P20,000,000.00).
Upon receipt of the demand letter, SMI suspended the leasing of two hundred twenty-four (224) light boxes and NEMI took down
its advertisements for "Poster Ads" from the lighted display units in SMI’s stores. Claiming that both SMI and NEMI failed to meet
all its demands, Pearl and Dean filed this instant case for infringement of trademark and copyright, unfair competition and
damages.
In denying the charges hurled against it, SMI maintained that it independently developed its poster panels using commonly known
techniques and available technology, without notice of or reference to Pearl and Dean’s copyright. SMI noted that the registration of
the mark "Poster Ads" was only for stationeries such as letterheads, envelopes, and the like. Besides, according to SMI, the word
"Poster Ads" is a generic term which cannot be appropriated as a trademark, and, as such, registration of such mark is invalid. It
also stressed that Pearl and Dean is not entitled to the reliefs prayed for in its complaint since its advertising display units contained
no copyright notice, in violation of Section 27 of P.D. 49. SMI alleged that Pearl and Dean had no cause of action against it and that
the suit was purely intended to malign SMI’s good name. On this basis, SMI, aside from praying for the dismissal of the case, also
counterclaimed for moral, actual and exemplary damages and for the cancellation of Pearl and Dean’s Certification of Copyright
Registration No. PD-R-2558 dated January 20, 1981 and Certificate of Trademark Registration No. 4165 dated September 12, 1988.
NEMI, for its part, denied having manufactured, installed or used any advertising display units, nor having engaged in the business
of advertising. It repleaded SMI’s averments, admissions and denials and prayed for similar reliefs and counterclaims as SMI."
The RTC of Makati City decided in favor of P & D:
Wherefore, defendants SMI and NEMI are found jointly and severally liable for infringement of copyright under Section 2 of PD 49,
as amended, and infringement of trademark under Section 22 of RA No. 166, as amended, and are hereby penalized under
Section31, 1996 decision2 of the Regional Trial Court of Makati, Branch 133, in Civil Case No. 92-516 which declared private
respondents Shoemart Inc. (SMI) and North Edsa Marketing Inc. (NEMI) liable for infringement of trademark and copyright, and
unfair competition.
FACTUAL ANTECEDENTS
The May 22, 2001 decision of the Court of Appeals3 contained a summary of this dispute:
"Plaintiff-appellant Pearl and Dean (Phil.), Inc. is a corporation engaged in the manufacture of advertising display units simply
referred to as light boxes. These units utilize specially printed posters sandwiched between plastic sheets and illuminated with back
lights. Pearl and Dean was able to secure a Certificate of Copyright Registration dated January 20, 1981 over these illuminated
display units. The advertising light boxes were marketed under the trademark "Poster Ads". The application for registration of the
trademark was filed with the Bureau of Patents, Trademarks and Technology Transfer on June 20, 1983, but was approved only on
September 12, 1988, per Registration No. 41165. From 1981 to about 1988, Pearl and Dean employed the services of Metro
Industrial Services to manufacture its advertising displays.
Sometime in 1985, Pearl and Dean negotiated with defendant-appellant Shoemart, Inc. (SMI) for the lease and installation of the
light boxes in SM City North Edsa. Since SM City North Edsa was under construction at that time, SMI offered as an alternative, SM
Makati and SM Cubao, to which Pearl and Dean agreed. On September 11, 1985, Pearl and Dean’s General Manager, Rodolfo
Vergara, submitted for signature the contracts covering SM Cubao and SM Makati to SMI’s Advertising Promotions and Publicity
Division Manager, Ramonlito Abano. Only the contract for SM Makati, however, was returned signed. On October 4, 1985, Vergara
wrote Abano inquiring about the other contract and reminding him that their agreement for installation of light boxes was not only
for its SM Makati branch, but also for SM Cubao. SMI did not bother to reply.
Instead, in a letter dated January 14, 1986, SMI’s house counsel informed Pearl and Dean that it was rescinding the contract for SM
Makati due to non-performance of the terms thereof. In his reply dated February 17, 1986, Vergara protested the unilateral action
of SMI, saying it was without basis. In the same letter, he pushed for the signing of the contract for SM Cubao.
Two years later, Metro Industrial Services, the company formerly contracted by Pearl and Dean to fabricate its display units, offered
to construct light boxes for Shoemart’s chain of stores. SMI approved the proposal and ten (10) light boxes were subsequently
fabricated by Metro Industrial for SMI. After its contract with Metro Industrial was terminated, SMI engaged the services of EYD
Rainbow Advertising Corporation to make the light boxes. Some 300 units were fabricated in 1991. These were delivered on a
staggered basis and installed at SM Megamall and SM City.
Sometime in 1989, Pearl and Dean, received reports that exact copies of its light boxes were installed at SM City and in the fastfood
section of SM Cubao. Upon investigation, Pearl and Dean found out that aside from the two (2) reported SM branches, light boxes
similar to those it manufactures were also installed in two (2) other SM stores. It further discovered that defendant-appellant North
Edsa Marketing Inc. (NEMI), through its marketing arm, Prime Spots Marketing Services, was set up primarily to sell advertising
space in lighted display units located in SMI’s different branches. Pearl and Dean noted that NEMI is a sister company of SMI.
In the light of its discoveries, Pearl and Dean sent a letter dated December 11, 1991 to both SMI and NEMI enjoining them to cease
using the subject light boxes and to remove the same from SMI’s establishments. It also demanded the discontinued use of the
trademark "Poster Ads," and the payment to Pearl and Dean of compensatory damages in the amount of Twenty Million Pesos
(P20,000,000.00).
Upon receipt of the demand letter, SMI suspended the leasing of two hundred twenty-four (224) light boxes and NEMI took down
its advertisements for "Poster Ads" from the lighted display units in SMI’s stores. Claiming that both SMI and NEMI failed to meet
all its demands, Pearl and Dean filed this instant case for infringement of trademark and copyright, unfair competition and
damages.
In denying the charges hurled against it, SMI maintained that it independently developed its poster panels using commonly known
techniques and available technology, without notice of or reference to Pearl and Dean’s copyright. SMI noted that the registration of
the mark "Poster Ads" was only for stationeries such as letterheads, envelopes, and the like. Besides, according to SMI, the word
"Poster Ads" is a generic term which cannot be appropriated as a trademark, and, as such, registration of such mark is invalid. It
also stressed that Pearl and Dean is not entitled to the reliefs prayed for in its complaint since its advertising display units contained
no copyright notice, in violation of Section 27 of P.D. 49. SMI alleged that Pearl and Dean had no cause of action against it and that
the suit was purely intended to malign SMI’s good name. On this basis, SMI, aside from praying for the dismissal of the case, also
counterclaimed for moral, actual and exemplary damages and for the cancellation of Pearl and Dean’s Certification of Copyright
Registration No. PD-R-2558 dated January 20, 1981 and Certificate of Trademark Registration No. 4165 dated September 12, 1988.
NEMI, for its part, denied having manufactured, installed or used any advertising display units, nor having engaged in the business
of advertising. It repleaded SMI’s averments, admissions and denials and prayed for similar reliefs and counterclaims as SMI."
The RTC of Makati City decided in favor of P & D:
Wherefore, defendants SMI and NEMI are found jointly and severally liable for infringement of copyright under Section 2 of PD 49,
as amended, and infringement of trademark under Section 22 of RA No. 166, as amended, and are hereby penalized under Section