This case has been cited 1 times or more.
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2000-05-11 |
BELLOSILLO, J. |
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| There is evidently no mention of any crime of "unfair competition" involving design patents in the controlling provisions on Unfair Competition. It is therefore unclear whether the crime exists at all, for the enactment of RA 8293 did not result in the reenactment of Art. 189 of the Revised Penal Code. In the face of this ambiguity, we must strictly construe the statute against the State and liberally in favor of the accused,[22] for penal statutes cannot be enlarged or extended by intendment, implication or any equitable consideration.[23] Respondents invoke jurisprudence to support their contention that "unfair competition" exists in this case.[24] However, we are prevented from applying these principles, along with the new provisions on Unfair Competition found in the IPR Code, to the alleged acts of the petitioners, for such acts constitute patent infringement as defined by the same Code- | |||||