Editha R. Hechanova

About the LawyerEditha R. Hechanova is a prominent intellectual property (IP) lawyer in the Philippines, leading the IP law practice of the HECHANOVA Group. She is the President and CEO of Hechanova & Co., Inc., an IP consulting firm, and the Managing Partner of Hechanova Bugay Vilchez & Andaya-Racadio, a law firm specializing in contentious IP matters.Within the HECHANOVA Group, she oversees a comprehensive IP practice that spans the full life cycle of intellectual property rights in the Philippines. Through Hechanova & Co., Inc., she directs the firm’s work in patents and trademarks prosecution and maintenance, search services, review of IP-related agreements, renewals, customs recordation, plant variety protection, copyright registration, domain name registration, and IP consulting. Through Hechanova Bugay Vilchez & Andaya-Racadio, she leads the team handling IP litigation, border control measures, enforcement, licensing, franchising, and other contentious IP matters.Editha Hechanova is widely regarded for combining deep technical knowledge of Philippine IP law with practical, commercially focused advice. Her practice covers trademarks, patents, copyrights, utility models, designs, and domain names, and she is known for managing significant IP portfolios, including pharmaceutical and technology-related portfolios, for both domestic and international clients.In addition to her law firm work, she is actively involved in mediation and arbitration of intellectual property disputes. She serves as an accredited Court Annexed Mediator at the Philippine Court of Appeals and as an accredited mediator and arbitrator at the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), reflecting her role in promoting effective dispute resolution mechanisms in the IP field.ExperienceEditha Hechanova has extensive experience in intellectual property law, handling both non-contentious and contentious aspects. She is involved in trademark and patent searches and prosecution, copyright, domain name, product registrations, valuation, searches, and other non-contentious IP matters through Hechanova & Co., Inc. Additionally, she specializes in IP enforcement, litigation, alternative dispute resolution, licensing, and transactions through Hechanova Bugay Vilchez & Andaya-Racadio.Her IP practice is structured around the HECHANOVA Group, which is based in Manila and advises on trademarks, patents, copyright, domain names, utility models, and industrial designs. Under her leadership, Hechanova & Co., Inc. focuses on prosecution and portfolio management work—such as filing and maintaining patents and trademarks, conducting freedom-to-operate and other searches, drafting patents, managing renewals, and handling recordals with customs and regulatory agencies.On the contentious side, Editha Hechanova established Hechanova Bugay Vilchez & Andaya-Racadio in January 2006 together with other senior practitioners, each bringing more than 15 years of experience at the time, to create a firm with particular expertise in intellectual property litigation and enforcement. The firm’s IP practice includes oppositions and cancellations, infringement and unfair competition actions, border control measures, raids against counterfeiters, and other enforcement actions, as well as licensing, due diligence, and IP-related transactional work.Her experience covers both contentious and non-contentious intellectual property matters, and she frequently handles complex disputes involving trademarks and copyrights, including cases concerning well-known marks and issues of trademark dominancy. She is also active in IP mediation, helping parties resolve disputes efficiently and preserving business relationships where possible.SpecialtyEditha Hechanova’s specialty lies in intellectual property law. She has a deep understanding of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and their enforcement, and her expertise extends to IP litigation and alternative dispute resolution, making her a valuable asset for clients dealing with complex IP issues.Her non-contentious IP work includes:

• Patent and trademark prosecution, including filing, examination management, and maintenance
• Freedom-to-operate and other IP searches, portfolio audits, and valuation services
• Copyright, domain name, and plant variety registrations
• Recordation of IP rights with customs and regulatory agencies
• Advising on labeling, advertising materials, and product registration requirements with the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Trade and Industry
• Consulting on IP creation, protection strategies, and commercialization

Her contentious IP work focuses on:

• Trademark and patent infringement litigation, unfair competition, and related IP violations
• Border control measures and enforcement actions, including raids and seizure of counterfeit goods
• Administrative and court proceedings involving oppositions, cancellations, and other disputes before IPOPHL and the courts
• Licensing, franchising, and IP-related transactions, including due diligence and structuring of IP rights in commercial deals
• Mediation and arbitration of IP disputes, both court-annexed and before IPOPHL

She is particularly noted for her work in trademark prosecution and enforcement, as well as her ability to handle large, complex IP portfolios across multiple industries. Her combined role in both prosecution and litigation allows her to design strategies that consider not only legal protection but also enforcement, commercialization, and long-term portfolio management.EducationEditha Hechanova holds a business degree from the University of the East, majoring in accounting and graduating magna cum laude. She is also a certified public accountant. Her law degree was obtained from the Ateneo de Manila University. Furthermore, she has a Certificate in Strategic Business Economics from the University of Asia and the Pacific.This blend of legal training and strong business and accounting background enables her to approach intellectual property not only as a legal right but also as a strategic business asset. Her education in strategic business economics supports her work in IP valuation, portfolio strategy, and the economic assessment of IP-related transactions and disputes.

• Atty. Editha R. Hechanova received a Certificate of Accreditation in Mediation from IPOPHL’s Bureau of Legal Affairs Recognition of IP ADR Excellence Awards in 2024.1
• Atty. Editha R. Hechanova received a Certificate of Accreditation in Arbitration as part of IPOPHL’s initial roster of arbitrators for the revived arbitration service in 2024.1
• Atty. Editha R. Hechanova is identified as the managing partner of Hechanova Bugay Vilchez & Andaya-Racadio Law.1
• Atty. Editha R. Hechanova has been cited as a leading lawyer in intellectual property law in the Philippines by AsiaLaw Magazine from 2002 to 2021 and by Who’s Who Legal Trademarks from 2012 to 2021.3
• Atty. Editha R. Hechanova was recognized as an MIP Star.3
• Atty. Editha R. Hechanova was listed among the Top 100 Lawyers by Asia Business Law Journal for 2018 to 2020.3
• Atty. Editha R. Hechanova was recognized as an Asialaw Distinguished Practitioner in Intellectual Property in 2021.3
• Atty. Editha R. Hechanova serves as CEO of Hechanova Group.7
• Atty. Editha R. Hechanova has been a Patent Attorney since 2008 after passing the Patent Agent Qualifying Examination conducted by IPOPHL.8
• Atty. Editha R. Hechanova currently serves as President of the Association of PAQE Professionals Inc. (2024, 2017–2022).8
• Hechanova & Co., Inc., under Atty. Editha R. Hechanova’s leadership, was listed among the top filers for both patents and trademarks by IPOPHL from 2010 to 2014.3
• Hechanova Bugay Vilchez & Andaya-Racadio was recognized as a Winner in Trademarks by ASIA IP in 2017 and in Copyright in 2019, with Editha R. Hechanova identified in connection with the firm’s achievements.3
• Hechanova & Co., Inc. received a Special Citation as Top Agent for Patent (2017–2021) and Top Industrial Design Agent (2017–2021) from IPOPHL during the 25th Anniversary of the IP Code, with Editha R. Hechanova listed as the firm’s contact person.2
• Atty. Editha R. Hechanova, as leader of APP, was credited for helping develop and conduct the five-module Intellectual Property Master Class program recognized by the Council.5