IPOPHL appoints Brigitte M. Da Costa-Villaluz as new director general
27 January 2025
New director general of IPOPHL Brigitte M. da Costa-Villaluz. Image taken from IPOPHL.
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has proudly announced that Brigitte M. da Costa-Villaluz, a renowned attorney with almost 30 years of private practice experience, will take over the helm as the new IPOPHL director general from Rowel Barba, whose leadership from 2020 to 2024 has brought the IP office to greater progress.
Da Costa-Villaluz has experience in intricate situations pertaining to copyrights, patents, trademarks and business law. Prior to founding BDCV Law, she was a partner at Poblador Bautista & Reyes Law Offices, where she had a prestigious career in corporate governance, IP litigation and enforcement.
She has also received recognition for her proficiency in intellectual property law throughout her career, having been highlighted in Asia IP as an IP Expert in 2023 and 2024.
In 1997, da Costa-Villaluz became a member of the Philippine Bar. She placed ninth in her class when she received her juris doctor from the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law in 1996. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of the Philippines School of Economics.
Da Costa-Villaluz is positioned to play a significant role in expanding IP protection, influencing the direction of innovation and fostering the expansion of sectors essential to the country’s economic development because of her legal expertise, leadership background and enthusiasm for intellectual property.
"I am deeply honoured by the opportunity to serve the country together with the men and women of IPOPHL,” da Costa-Villaluz said. “We will continue the close work with IP rights holders to elevate the use of the intellectual property system towards creativity, innovation and inclusive prosperity."
- Excel V. Dyquiangco
