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ATTY. IGNACIO S. SAPALO

Atty. Ignacio S. Sapalo (1944-2023), often hailed as the “Father of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines,” was a distinguished Filipino lawyer whose career significantly shaped the country’s intellectual property landscape.

Atty. Sapalo, together with Atty. Eugene A. Tan, formed the Tan & Sapalo Law Offices, In line with his expertise, they specialized in intellectual property and admiralty/maritime practice.

From 1987 to 1996, Atty. Sapalo served as the Director of the Bureau of Patents, Trademarks, and Technology Transfer (BPTTT), the precursor to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of the Philippines. In this role, he was instrumental in the enactment of Republic Act 8293, known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. He also authored a book entitled, “Background Reading Material on Intellectual Property Law in the Philippines” published by the World Intellectual Property Organization.

He rejoined the firm in 2000 and took over its management, guiding the firm to become a leading entity in intellectual property prosecution, maintenance, licensing, and enforcement. Under his leadership, SVBB expanded its services to include corporate taxation, litigation, and labor law, with branch offices in Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro.

Beyond his administrative roles, Atty. Sapalo was a dedicated educator, serving as a Professor of Intellectual Property at the Ateneo School of Law since 1991 and at Jose Rizal University since 2016. He also contributed to the legal community as a Bar Reviewer at the Ateneo School of Law starting in 1994. His commitment to advancing intellectual property rights led him to found the Intellectual Property Foundation and serve as its President.

He was the President of IProbe, Inc., and a distinguished Member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), the Philippine Bar Association (PBA), the Association Internationale Pour La Protection De La Propriete Intellectuelle (AIPPI), the Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA), and the Intellectual Property Association of the Philippines (IPAP).

Atty. Sapalo’s dedication to social justice was evident in his advocacy for Filipino seafarers’ rights, working alongside organizations like Stella Maris Philippines to ensure better protection and support for maritime workers.

Atty. Ignacio S. Sapalo: A Legacy in Philippine Intellectual Property Law

Atty. Ignacio S. Sapalo, a pioneering figure in Philippine intellectual property law, has been honored with numerous awards throughout his esteemed career. These accolades recognize his exceptional contributions to the field, his leadership in shaping national policies, and his dedication to advancing intellectual property rights in the country.

Individual Recognitions

  • Intellectual Property Champion Award (2022): The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) recognized Atty. Sapalo for his invaluable contributions as the former Director of the Bureau of Patents, Trademarks, and Technology Transfer (BPTTT). His visionary leadership was instrumental in shaping IPOPHL into the dynamic institution it is today.
  • Philippines Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year (2011): Corporate INTL honored Atty. Sapalo with this prestigious title, recognizing his significant impact on the country’s intellectual property legal framework.
  • IP Star Recognition (2015): Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) identified Atty. Sapalo as one of the leading IP lawyers, highlighting his expertise in trademark prosecution, enforcement, litigation, and copyright law.

Firm-Wide Achievements Under His Leadership

As the visionary leader of Sapalo Velez Bundang & Bulilan (SVBB) Law Offices, Atty. Sapalo also guided his firm in achieving multiple prestigious recognitions, including:

  • Philippine Trademark Firm of the Year (2010): Awarded by Asia IP Magazine, recognizing SVBB’s excellence in trademark services.
  • Patent and Trademark Prosecution Law Firm of the Year (2015): Corporate INTL acknowledged SVBB for its outstanding work in patent and trademark prosecution in the Philippines.
  • Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year (2016): Corporate INTL Magazine’s Global Award recognized SVBB’s continued leadership and expertise in intellectual property law.