The high court, in a resolution promulgated October 18 and published in newspapers yesterday, approved the Rules of Procedure for Intellectual Property Rights Cases that were drafted by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and a court-appointed special committee.
The rules will apply to special commercial courts -- to be designated by the SC among the country’s regional trial courts -- that will hear civil and criminal cases involving violations of rights provided under Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code.
Among others, courts in Quezon City, Manila, Makati and Pasig were given the authority to issue search and seizure writs that are enforceable nationwide. The special courts in other judicial regions can also do so but the writs will apply only in their jurisdictions.
The rules, which will take effect early next month, are applicable to all pending IPR cases, the Supreme Court said.
x x x."
