Representatives of EW Villa Medica Germany and the European Wellness Group have issued a public advisory regarding a local wellness clinic operating in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig. The international healthcare entity confirmed that it has initiated legal proceedings before the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) to address brand rights, trademark usage, and local representation.

Speaking on behalf of the German principal, Atty. Lorraine Taguiam of The Law Group explained that the company took action after receiving inquiries and conducting internal reviews.

“For the misrepresentation, it was very clear from all the complaints that we receive and even in our own due diligence that they are still marketing the clinic as Villa Medica,” Atty. Taguiam stated. “So, when you enter the clinic, they still label it as Villa Medica. Per as confirmed with the European Wellness Group, the last order of products were since 2024. So, definitely at present, no authentic Villa Medica products or medicines were being used.”

In response to these findings, legal counsel confirmed that an intellectual property complaint is currently undergoing mediation before the IPOPHL. The legal team emphasized that while they seek to secure brand protection in the local market, specific details of the dispute remain confidential out of respect for the administrative process.

“We now have a pending IP, Intellectual Property complaint and we are pending mediation with our intellectual property office,” Atty. Taguiam noted. “So as to the details, we cannot disclose muna because we are ongoing with the mediation and we want to be in good faith when we are in that table. So for now, initial steps, we are trying to protect the brand. We want to get the full rights here in the Philippines. But in the meantime, while waiting for the resolution with the IP office, we want to reach as far and as wide as we can with all our patients and the public to avoid this misrepresentation. We want everyone to be aware of the current status.”

Addressing the background of the dispute, legal representatives noted that the overseas group attempted to reach out directly to former local licensing partner Ms. Crystal Jacinto and the clinic management prior to making public statements.

“Even before today’s activity and all these public notices, the group, the company has been reaching out to her and even sent formal letters directly to her and to her company and to the clinic,” Atty. Taguiam shared. “Unfortunately, it did not work out, so we had to file our IP case and we had to do today’s activity.”

While no direct personal response was received, counsel confirmed that Ms. Jacinto is participating through a legal representative in the ongoing IPOPHL mediation. The group stressed its preference for an amicable settlement while maintaining that further legal options remain available under existing license agreements and trademark laws.

“Because of course, as stated by the owner, he’s ready and the group is ready to take further legal actions to protect the brand. But of course, since being licensing partners, we want to exercise all efforts to try to settle and reach amicable settlement. But of course for sure, the company the EW group is open in taking more aggressive legal steps if the current actions or strategy will not work out,” Atty. Taguiam added, noting that contractual violations and trademark infringement carry potential penalties, damages, and criminal liability under relevant laws.

Any administrative dispute remains subject to official determination, and the local clinic management retains the right to present its position during the ongoing proceedings.

Disclaimer: This report summarizes public statements made by legal counsel regarding pending administrative and intellectual property matters. Statements quoted reflect the positions of the issuing parties and do not constitute final judicial findings.