Manila: The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) announced Tuesday the appointment of Brigette da Costa-Villaluz as its new Director General.

According to Philippines News Agency, da Costa-Villaluz is joining the government after nearly three decades of private practice with extensive experience in intellectual property (IP) law, working on complex cases involving patents, copyrights, and commercial law. She has been recognized in the field of intellectual property law, wherein she was named as Trademark Star by Managing IP in 2021 and 2022.

The new IPOPHL chief was also featured in Asia IP Informed Analysis IP Expert in 2023 and 2024 as well as being commended by Legal 500 for her achievements in IP prosecution. Da Costa-Villaluz is the founder of BDCV Law and was previously a partner at Poblador Bautista and Reyes Law Offices where she established her expertise in handling IP litigation, enforcement, and corporate governance.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines before earning her Juris Doctor degree at the Ateneo de Manila University in 1996. She was admitted to the Philippine Bar a year after.

'I am deeply honored by the opportunity to serve the country together with the men and women of IPOPHL. We will continue the close work with IP rights holders to elevate the use of intellectual property system towards creativity, innovation and inclusive prosperity,' da Costa-Villaluz said in a statement.