Intellectual Property team of Morgan & Morgan is featured in The World´s Leading Trademark Professionals 2019
Enrique Jiménez, María Eugenia Brenes and Allen Candanedo, partner and associates of the Intellectual Property Department of Morgan & Morgan, have been featured in the 2019 edition of the ranking table World Trademark Review 1000 – The World´s Leading Trademark Professionals.
The publication, which focuses exclusively on trademark lawyers, has become the “definitive source of information” for those seeking first rate experience in the field. As in all its prior publications, this year the search was exhaustive to identify the outstanding firms and lawyers in this critical area. The factors influencing the classification are: years of experience, market presence, and level of day-to-day work, as well as feedback from colleagues and clients.
For more information please click here.
- Published in 2019, Allen Candanedo, Enrique Jimenez, expertise, Intellectual Property, Maria Brenes
Enrique Jimenez and Maria Eugenia Brenes recognized in The World´s Leading Trademark Professionals 2018
Enrique Jiménez, partner, and Maria Eugenia Brenes, associate lawyer, have been recognized in The World´s Leading Trademark Professionals 2018 of the World Trademark Review.
The World´s Trademark Review, which focuses exclusively on trademark lawyers and trademark law, has become the “definitive source of information” for those seeking first rate experience in the field. As in all its prior publications, this year the search was exhaustive to identify the outstanding firms and lawyers in this critical area. The factors influencing the classification are: years of experience, market presence, and level of day-to-day work, as well as feedback from colleagues and clients.
To see the complete ranking please click here.
About Morgan & Morgan
Morgan & Morgan has one of the most complete Intellectual Property Departments in Panama. The firm advises clients in the filing and registration of trademarks, service marks, slogans, trade names, inventions, utility models, industrial designs and plant varieties under Industrial Property Law, among others. Our attorneys are specialists in the drafting and reviewing of License and Franchise Agreements, assisting clients in all the regulatory proceedings for registering such license agreements and franchises of trademarks before the Industrial Property and IP Directorates.
- Published in 2018, Enrique Jimenez, Intellectual Property, Maria Brenes, News
Fifteen Morgan & Morgan experts recognized in Who´s Who Legal
Fifteen Morgan & Morgan attorneys from several practice groups of the firm have been recognized for their exceptional work, in the second edition of the Who´s Who Legal Central America 2017. The guide is a comprehensive listing the leading practitioners and law firms across 13 areas of business law in the region.
With over 80 attorneys and 20 practice areas, Morgan & Morgan is s a full service Panamanian law firm, regularly assisting local and foreign corporations from different industries, as well as recognized financial and government institutions, in important investments in Panama and the region.
“These distinctions are very important for us because they show that our clients and peers recognize our broad expertise in many areas of law, and the commitment of our team when advising clients in their legal needs while doing business in Panama”, said Romulo Roux, Partner and Head of the Legal Services Unit of the firm.
Morgan & Morgan experts recognized:
Competition
Carlos Ernesto Gonzalez Ramirez, Partner
Maria Eugenia Brenes, Associate
Corporate
Ana Carolina Castillo, Associate
Carlos Ernesto Gonzalez Ramirez, Partner
Eduardo Ferrer, Partner
Francisco Arias, Partner
Inocencio Galindo, Partner
Dispute Resolution
Jose Carrizo, Partner
Simon Tejeira Q., Partner
Finance
Francisco Arias, Partner
Inocencio Galindo, Partner
Ramon Varela, Partner
Intellectual Property
Enrique Jimenez, Partner
Natural Resources
Inocencio Galindo, Partner
Private Client
Luis Manzanares, Partner
Transport
Enrique De Alba, Partner
Francisco Linares, Partner
Jazmina Rovi, Partner
Juan David Morgan Jr., Partner
- Published in Ana Castillo, Antitrust and Consumer Protection, Banking Law, Carlos Ernesto Gonzalez, Eduardo Ferrer, Energy, Enrique De Alba, Enrique Jimenez, Estate Planning, Francisco Arias, Francisco Linares, Inocencio Galindo, Intellectual Property, Jazmina Rovi, Jose Carrizo, Juan David Morgan, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Luis Manzanares, Maria Brenes, News, Ramon Varela, Ship Finance and Registration, Simon Tejeira
Morgan & Morgan advised Dos Pinos in its acquisition of non-alcoholic beverage business in Panama
Morgan & Morgan represented Cooperativa de Productores de Leche Dos Pinos R.L., the largest dairy company in Costa Rica, in its acquisition of the milk and juice business in the Republic of Panama of Refrescos Nacionales, S.A. and Cervecería Nacional, S.A., subsidiaries of the brewer and bottler SABMiller. The transaction included the milk and juice plant in the province of Chiriquí and trademarks Nevada, La Chiricana and Tutti Frutti. The transaction was signed on January 18, 2013 and is subject to verification by Panama’s competition authority (Acodeco).
The firm’s team was led by partner Francisco Arias G. with the support of associate Gilbert Mallol, as well as partner Ricardo Lachman (labor), associate Allen Candanedo (intellectual property), associate Ana Cristina Castrellon (environment), associate Ana Carolina Castillo and associate Carlos Arturo Hoyos; and partner Carlos Ernesto González Ramírez is steering the process with Acodeco.
Morgan & Morgan representó a la Cooperativa de Productores de Leche Dos Pinos RL, la mayor empresa de lácteos en Costa Rica, en la adquisición de la empresa Refrescos Nacionales, SA y Cervecería Nacional, SA, ambas filiales de la cervecera y embotelladora SABMiller y dedicadas al negocio de leche y jugo en la República de Panamá. La transacción incluyó la planta de leche y jugos en la provincia de Chiriquí y las marcas Nevada, La Chiricana y Tutti Frutti. La transacción fue firmada el 18 de enero de 2013 y está sujeta a verificación por parte de la Autoridad de Protección al Consumidor y Defensa de la Competencia (ACODECO).
El equipo de la firma fue liderado por el socio Francisco Arias G., con el apoyo del asociado Gilbert Mallol, así como también con el apoyo del socio Ricardo Lachman (Derecho Laboral), el asociado Allen Candanedo (Propiedad Intelectual), la asociada Ana Cristina Castrellón (Derecho Ambiental), la asociada Ana Carolina Castillo, y el asociado Carlos Arturo Hoyos. El socio Carlos Ernesto González Ramírez está dirigiendo el proceso con ACODECO.
Morgan & Morgan wins another Trademark Opposition in Belize
Intellectual Property law continues to develop progressively as the Belize Intellectual Property Office has issued its latest opposition ruling in the matter of British American Tobacco (Brands) Limited v. Philip Morris Products S.A.(Application No. 5754.08).
This matter dealt with an opposition lodged by British American Tobacco against a trademark application filed by Philip Morris on the issue of distinctiveness, and lack thereof. British American Tobacco argued that the Philip Morris mark in question contravened the Trade Marks Act, Chapter 257 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, in particular section 35(1)(b) which states:
“The following shall not be registered… trademarks which are devoid of any distinctive character…Provided that, a trade mark shall not be refused registration by virtue of [section 35(1)(b)] if, before the date of application for registration, it has in fact acquired a distinctive character as a result of the use made of it.”
The Deputy Registrar of Belipo, upon hearing the submissions of counsel on behalf of both parties found that the Philip Morris mark was neither distinctive as it was incapable of distinguishing the goods to which it had applied, nor had it acquired distinctive use within the meaning of the Trade Marks Act.
BAT has not only conducted a successful opposition against Philip Morris, it has also achieved victory in defending an opposition brought against it by Philip Morris in the prior matter of Philip Morris Products S.A. v British American Tobacco (Brands) Limited (Application No.5082.07). A victory which was confirmed in the landmark judgment of Civil Appeal 1 of 2009, the very first trade mark opposition that was appealed to conclusion at the Belize Supreme Court with one of the last judgments issued by Belize’s former eminent Chief Justice Dr. Abdulai Conteh.
Morgan Belize, through Legal Counsel Rishi Alain Mungal, was pleased to represent its client, British American Tobacco at the opposition proceedings and assist with this successful decision.
A full text of British American Tobacco (Brands) Limited v. Philip Morris Products S.A.(Application No. 5754.08) is available here.
La Ley de Propiedad Intelectual continua desarrollándose progresivamente al momento en que la Oficina de Propiedad Intelectual de Belice emite su última sentencia de oposición en el caso de British American Tobacco (Brands) Limited vs. Philip Morris Products S.A. (Solicitud no. 5754.08).
Este asunto trata de una demanda de oposición presentada por British American Tobacco contra una solicitud de marca de fábrica presentada por Philip Morris concerniente al tema del carácter distintivo o falta del mismo. British American Tobacco argumentó que la marca de Philip Morris en cuestión iba contra la Ley de Marcas de Fábrica, Capítulo 257 de las Leyes de Belice, Versión Actualizada del 2000, en especial la sección 35(1)(b) la cual estipula:
“No deberá registrarse lo siguiente… marcas de fábrica que carezcan de un carácter distintivo… Siempre que, el registro de una marca de fábrica no se rechace en virtud de la [sección 35(1)(b)] si, previo a la fecha de solicitud de registro, ésta ha de hecho adquirido un carácter distintivo como resultado del uso que se hace de ella.”
El Sub Registrador de Propiedad Intelectual de Belice, al escuchar las presentaciones de los abogados en nombre de ambas partes encontró que la marca Philip Morris no era ni distintiva ya que no podía distinguir los artículos a los que había aplicado, ni había adquirido un uso distintivo dentro del significado de la Ley de Marcas de Fábrica.
BAT no solo llevó a cabo una oposición exitosa contra Philip Morris sino que también alcanzó la victoria en la defensa de una demanda de oposición presentada contra ella por Philip Morris en la acción anterior de Philip Morris Products S.A. vs. British American Tobacco (Brands) Limited (Solicitud no. 5082.07). Una victoria confirmada en una sentencia sin precedentes de la Apelación Civil 1 del 2009, la primera demanda de oposición de marca de fábrica apelada hasta su conclusión en la Corte Suprema de Belice, uno de cuyos últimos fallos fue emitido por el eminente ex Presidente de la Corte Suprema de Belice, Dr. Abdulai Conteh.
Morgan Belice a través de su asesor legal Rishi Alain Mungal se sintió complacida de representar a su cliente, British American Tobacco en el proceso de oposición y asistir en la exitosa decisión.
El texto completo de British American Tobacco (Brands) Limited vs. Philip Morris Products S.A. (Solicitud no. 5754.08) está disponible aquí.
- Published in Intellectual Property, Rishi Mungal