Case Digest (G.R. No. 115106)
Facts:
- Roberto L. Del Rosario filed a patent infringement complaint against Janito Corporation on January 18, 1993, in the Regional Trial Court of Makati.
- Del Rosario claimed to be the patentee of a karaoke system under two utility model patents: UM-5269 (issued June 2, 1983) and UM-6237 (issued November 14, 1986).
- Both patents were initially effective for five years and were extended for another five years.
- Del Rosario's invention included an amplifier, tape mechanisms, a tuner, and a microphone mixer to enhance vocal performance.
- In early 1990, Del Rosario discovered Janito Corporation was producing a similar karaoke system branded as "Miyata."
- Del Rosario sought a writ of preliminary injunction to prevent Janito from using, selling, or advertising their karaoke system.
- The trial court issued a temporary restraining order on February 5, 1993, followed by a writ of preliminary injunction on February 24, 1993.
- Janito Corporation contested the trial court's order by filing a petition for certiorari with the Court of Appeals.
- On November 15, 1993, the Court of Appeals set aside the trial court's order, concluding there was no patent infringement.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals' decision dated November 15, 1993.
- The order of the trial court dated February 24, 1993, granting Del Rosario the writ of preliminary injunction was reinsta...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court stated that a writ of preliminary injunction is a preservative remedy to protect substantive rights and is not a standalone cause of action.
- The trial court established that Del Rosario held valid utility model patents and that Janito's karaoke system was substantially similar to Del Rosario's invention.
- The burden of proof shifted to Janito to prove that Del Rosar...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 115106)
Facts:
The case involves Roberto L. Del Rosario as the petitioner and the Court of Appeals and Janito Corporation as the respondents. The events leading to the case began on January 18, 1993, when Del Rosario filed a complaint for patent infringement against Janito Corporation in the Regional Trial Court of Makati. Del Rosario claimed to be the patentee of an audio equipment known as the sing-along system or karaoke, under Letters Patent No. UM-5269 issued on June 2, 1983, and Letters Patent No. UM-6237 issued on November 14, 1986. Both patents were effective for five years and were extended for another five years starting June 2, 1988, and November 14, 1991, respectively. Del Rosario described his invention as a compact machine that includes an amplifier, tape mechanisms, a tuner, and a microphone mixer, designed to enhance the user's voice.
In early 1990, Del Rosario discovered that Janito Corporation was manufacturing a similar sing-along system branded as "Miyata" or "Miyata Karaoke." Consequently, he sought a writ of preliminary injunction from the trial court to prevent Janito from using, selling, or advertising their karaoke system, claiming it was substantially similar to his patented invention. On February 5, 1993, the trial court issued a temporary restraining order against Janito, followed by a writ of preliminary injunction on February 24, 1993, based on the finding that Del Rosario held a valid utility model patent and that Janito was infringing upon it.
Janito Corporation contested the trial court's order by filing a petition for certiorari with the Court of Appeals, which on November 15, 1993, granted the writ and set aside the trial court's order. ...