PLM Law Gazette

𝑰𝒏 𝑴𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒎: 𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝑳𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝑭𝒆𝒃𝒍𝒆

The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Law (PLM Law) community mourns the passing of Dean Lope Enero Feble, a longtime faculty member of the College and a respected professor of Remedial Law Review and Criminal Procedure.

Dean Feble has been teaching in the College of Law since 2010. He devoted his professional life not only to the practice of law in the courts but also to the formation of future lawyers, becoming an integral part of the College’s commitment to legal excellence. Generations of students remember him for his mastery of remedial law, exacting standards in the classroom, and steadfast dedication to the legal profession. He demanded excellence from his students, not merely to prepare them for the Bar, but to prepare them for the responsibilities and ethical burdens of becoming lawyers.

The PLM Law Gazette joins the College of Law in extending its heartfelt sympathies to the family and loved ones of Dean Feble during this time of grief. We stand together in remembrance and prayer.

May Dean Feble be remembered with honor and gratitude, and may he rest in eternal peace.

The (SC) has ruled that ISCO Holding Corporation (ISCO) cannot register its “𝐍𝐈𝐊𝐎𝐍 & 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍” mark as it constitutes Nikon Corporation’s trade name and is confusingly similar to the well-known “𝐍𝐈𝐊𝐎𝐍” trademark of the said corporation.

In a Decision written by Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, the SC’s Third Division denied ISCO’s petition and affirmed the ruling of the Court of Appeals (CA), which rejected ISCO’s trademark application.

ISCO filed an application for a trademark for its home and household goods containing the design of an anchor enclosed in a circle with the word “𝐍𝐈𝐊𝐎𝐍”.

Nikon Corp., a foreign corporation and prior registrant and user of the “𝐍𝐈𝐊𝐎𝐍” mark in the Philippines, opposed the application, arguing that ISCO’s mark is confusingly similar to its own mark.

The Intellectual Property Office–Bureau of Legal Affairs (IPO‑BLA) agreed with Nikon Corp. and denied ISCO’s application. Although the IPO Office of the Director General later reversed this ruling, the CA reinstated the IPO-BLA’s decision, prompting ISCO to elevate the case to the SC.

ISCO claimed that its goods are unrelated to Nikon Corp.’s and that differences, such as the image of an anchor enclosed in a circle and the color scheme, prevent consumer confusion.

The SC upheld the CA’s ruling and held that ISCO’s mark cannot be registered. It explained that trademarks are used to identify and distinguish goods or services. Under Section 147 of the 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘥𝘦, one of the rights of a trademark owner is to exclude others from using their trademark in a way that would confuse consumers and cause financial harm to the owner.

If a well‑known trademark is registered in the Philippines, no other party may register an identical or confusingly similar mark—even if the goods are different.

In this case, the SC found that Nikon Corp.’s trademark is well‑known. The NIKON mark has long been used, promoted, and registered worldwide, including in the Philippines, with the company enjoying significant global sales and market presence.

The SC also found NIKON to be a highly distinctive trademark. It is a coined or invented word with no ordinary meaning in English or Filipino and is not commonly used in the Philippines except as a trademark.

Analyzing the two marks, the SC found that ISCO’s trademark is confusingly similar to NIKON’s. It applied the 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭, which focuses on the most noticeable and memorable part of the marks. Minor differences in design, color, or layout are disregarded.

Both ISCO’s and Nikon Corp.’s marks prominently use the word “𝐍𝐈𝐊𝐎𝐍.” This word is the dominant feature of both marks. They are spelled the same, appear in bold capital letters, and sound exactly the same when pronounced. Because of this, the SC ruled that the two marks create the same visual and auditory impression.

The SC explained that if ISCO were allowed to use its NIKON mark, consumers would likely assume a connection with Nikon Corp. Given its reputation for cameras, the public might believe that ISCO’s household appliances are made, approved, or endorsed by Nikon Corp., or that it has expanded into household products.

The SC also warned that ISCO’s use of the NIKON mark would damage Nikon Corp.’s interests because it would weaken its mark’s ability to uniquely identify a single source of goods. The law protects famous trademarks from such uses to prevent the blurring of their distinctiveness and to preserve their value and reputation.

Read the full text of the press release at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=164274

Read the full text of the Decision at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=164266

Copying of this content is subject to the SC PIO’s Credit Attribution Policy

HOW THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES VOTED ON THE PRESCRIPTIVE PERIOD FOR CYBER LIBEL

G.R. No. 258524 (Berteni Cataluña Causing vs. People of the Philippines, et al.)

In a Resolution written by Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, the SC 𝘌𝘯 𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘤 denied the separate motions for reconsideration filed by Berteni Cataluña Causing and the Office of the Solicitor General.

The SC, by an 8-7 vote, held that the prescriptive period for cyber libel is governed by the same provision under the Revised Penal Code on written libel.

In this , see how the Justices voted 8-7 in favor of declaring a one-year prescriptive period for cyber libel.

For more, read the press release and full text of the Decision, and the opinions of the Justices:

Read the full text of the press release at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=163671

Read the full text of the Resolution at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=163636

Read the Concurring Opinion of Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=163642

Read the Concurring Opinion of Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/wp-admin/post.php?p=163650

Read the Concurring and Dissenting Opinion of Associate Justice Antonio T. Kho, Jr. at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=163661

Copying of this content is subject to the SC PIO’s Credit Attribution Policy: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/credit-attribution

𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲: 𝗣𝗟𝗠 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀
𝘣𝘺: 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘪 𝘛𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘢, 𝟦𝘑𝘋𝟤
𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘣𝘺: 𝘑𝘰𝘢𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘢, 𝘜𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘭 𝘚𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘰, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘗𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘚𝘢𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘨-𝘚𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘴

The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Law gathered on Monday evening at the Manila Hotel on March 30, 2026, for a solemn yet celebratory testimonial dinner honoring its newest bar passers.

The event was attended by the 2025 bar passers and their guests, members of the PLM College of Law faculty and administration, the University President, and the Chairperson of the Board of Regents.

In his opening remarks, Dean Reynaldo “Bong” G. Lopez underscored that passing the Bar is not merely a personal achievement but a collective triumph for the University. He noted that PLM ranked third in the number of passers and placed second overall—an accomplishment that highlights the institution’s growing stature in legal education.

Beyond academic success, Dean Lopez reminded the new lawyers of the responsibility that accompanies their profession. He emphasized that the call is not only to become skilled practitioners but also to be principled citizens who use the law in the service of society. The evening, he added, also honored the families, friends, and loved ones whose support sustained the passers throughout their journey.

A video tribute followed, capturing moments from the bar passers’ law school years and their preparation for the Bar examinations. The presentation reflected the perseverance, sacrifice, and quiet determination that define the legal journey.
Associate Dean Anne Sharlyne Goboy-Lapuz, in her address, highlighted the significance of the evening’s central rite—the signing of the PLM Roll of Attorneys. She stressed that the act goes beyond ceremony, marking a formal entry into a profession anchored on duty and purpose. Citing the principle “lex ad bonum publicum,” she reminded the new lawyers that the law must always serve the public good.

Likewise, Atty. Goboy-Lapuz left the audience with a pointed reflection: “Success is a moment, but excellence is a habit,” urging the new attorneys to uphold discipline and integrity beyond this milestone.

The highlight of the evening was the formal signing of the Roll of PLM Attorneys, which symbolized the bar passers’ official inclusion in the legal profession. This was followed by brief interviews in which the new lawyers shared their aspirations and reflections.

Among those featured was Atty. Patricia Laygo, who expressed her desire to support future students and help ease the pressures they face, remarks that resonated with those still navigating their own legal journeys.

The celebration continued with dinner and a photo session, allowing members of the community to share in the occasion. The program concluded with closing remarks from Associate Dean Goboy-Lapuz, bringing the evening to a reflective and inspiring close.

The event served not only as a recognition of achievement but as a reaffirmation of purpose. As PLM’s newest lawyers enter the profession, they carry with them both the pride of success and the enduring responsibility to serve—with excellence, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to the public good.

Congratulations to Cris Dungca for securing a 3rd Place podium finish in the Men's Singles Table Tennis tournament.

Dungca shifted from full-court impact as part of the PLM Law Men’s Basketball Team to an intense solo focus on the table.

Conflicts of Law 2026 — Table Tennis Men's Singles

Taking flight with every smash, Lloyd Rick Guyon soared like a Haribon, as the hustle didn't stop at the court. Our multi-sport athlete also played as part of the PLM Law Mobile Legends Team in between his badminton tournament breaks as a result of time conflict coming from the organizers.
Guyon also stepped onto the pitch for the PLM Football Team’s opening match.

Conflicts of Law 2026 — Badminton