The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has warned businesses and trademark owners against a UK-based firm falsely claiming affiliations with IPOPHL and other intellectual property (IP) offices to pressure recipients to registering their trademarks.
Individuals allegedly representing Crown Mark, a supposed IP consultancy firm based in the United Kingdom (UK), have been contacting businesses with claims that a competing party intends to file a trademark using their brand name.
The communication advises recipients to register their brand name as a trademark with the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) before the alleged competing party and offers assistance in carrying out the registration process.
The organization’s website identified IPOPHL, as well as the IP offices of the UK, Australia and the European Union, as partner offices. IPOPHL clarified that it has no official relationship with any entity operating under the name “Crown Mark” in the UK or other territories.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which regulates solicitors in England and Wales, likewise confirmed that it does not authorize any firm operating under said name.
IPOPHL urged its partners and stakeholders, as well as the general public, to remain vigilant against fraud and misrepresentation of official names and identities.
The agency advised recipients of suspicious correspondence to refrain from clicking links, downloading attachments, replying or making any payments. It also encouraged the recipients to verify the identity of the sender with the relevant official agency or institution before taking any action.
