IPOPHL, IBP to teach copyright law

THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has forged a partnership with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines’ Quezon City chapter (IBP QC) to boost copyright education and provide legal assistance to local creatives.

In a memorandum of agreement (MoA) signed on March 31, the IPOPHL and IBP sought to raise awareness of copyright law while providing artists with free legal support.

“This collaboration ensures that creators — especially those in marginalized sectors and those who cannot afford legal services — receive competent legal advice, guidance in registration, and education in their rights and remedies,” IPOPHL Acting Director General Nathaniel S. Arevalo said in a statement on Wednesday.

Under the MoA, IPOPHL and IBP QC will hold a copyright seminar and legal aid clinic.

The activities will educate local artists on copyright and register their works with IPOPHL onsite.

Republic Act No. 8293, the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, and other international treaties automatically protect creative works from copyright from the moment of creation.

However, creators are highly encouraged to register their works to secure an additional proof of ownership, which is critical for infringement cases.

The registration of creative works could also unlock economic opportunities for creators, Mr. Arevalo said.

He said that the process helps transform creative output into protected and valuable assets.

“Whether through licensing, partnerships, or digital distribution, copyright registration empowers creators to confidently commercialize their work, knowing that their rights are properly documented and recognized,” Mr. Arevalo noted.

Emerson G. Cuyo, director of IPOPHL Bureau of Copyright and Related Rights, said the program would help Filipino creators understand copyright laws.

“Writers, musicians, visual artists, and software developers do possess tremendous talent, but they may not fully know or understand how the law protects their works.

In 2025, The Philippine creative economy grew by an annual 6.9% to P2.12 trillion, accounting for 7.6% of the country’s gross domestic product. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz