Jollibee respects IPOPHL ruling on 'Jolli' trademark case vs. Jolliville

Jollibee Foods Corp. conceded defeat in a long-running trademark case against listed property company Jollivile Holding Corp. over the use of "Jolli" in their respective trade names.

"In this case, we respect the decision of the Office of the Director General of the IPO," Jollibee said in a statement on Wednesday.

Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) Director General Josephine Santiago reversed a 2014 decision of the IPOPHL Bureau of Legal Affairs and supported Jolliville's appeal to have its corporate name registered.

Jollibee is not confusingly similar to Jolliville, the IPOPHL said in its latest decision.

The homegrown fastfood giant claimed it continues to have the exclusive rights to all Jollibee name, trademarks and products.

"As a responsible trademark owner, we take care of our trademarks and follow due procedure in protecting and enforcing our intellectual property rights," Jollibee noted.

In January 2013, Jollibee filed a notice of opposition to an application of Jolliville to register its corporate name and logo "Jolliville."

IPOPHL BLA Director Nathaniel Arevalo ruled in favor of Jollibee in September 2014, compelling Jollivile to file for an appeal.

The use of "Jolli" was a tribute to its founder Jolly L. Ting, the property company argued, and that Jollibee cannot claim exclusive and immediate association to 'Jolli' or 'Jolly' as there were several other registered corporations and trademarks that use the same name.

"The appellant has proven its ownership and continuous use of Jolliville since 1986.  It has secured trademark registration for Jolliville as early as 2004," IPOPHL said. — Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News