How would you
know if you have the right to appeal for something you have done? How would you
know if it’s you that is recognized to be the sole owner of the song you’ve
written? How would you know if you are considered as the master of the lines
and curves you’ve drafted on canvass? How would you know if you are the real “father”
of the characters in your story? A law firm specializing
in Intellectual Property in the Philippines may help you answer your seemingly
unending questions of “how” but here are a few things that may help you along
the way.
Intellectual
Property (IP), as defined by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), pertains to anything
that is created by the human mind such as literary and artistic works,
inventions, symbols, designs and names used in commerce. Intellectual property rights fall under the
Republic Act 8293: Protecting the Intellectual Property in the Philippines,
which includes copyright. Copyright is the author’s protection for his
inventions. And if you are someone who wished to have your creation protected
from infringement and theft, you may want to consider registering a copyright
for your work at the National Library of the Philippines. Here’s why.
Copyright
protects you and your creation. In today’s world where most of the information
could be downloaded online and be posted publicly on the World Wide Web,
copyright allows you to guard your creations from piracy. It gives the author
authority to distribute his works according to his will. If the creation is
used without the consent of the author, the affected author can sue for
copyright infringement and may get money as fine. Also, the author has all the
rights to make necessary revisions, prequel and/or sequel of his own literary
invention. He also possesses all the rights to develop his creation into
something different like turning works into movies or TV series.
Copyright offers
financial reward. If your creation is copyrighted, you have all the rights to
the reproduction of copies, adaptation and/or translation. Any reproduction of
copies, adaptation and/or translation rewards the author financially. In
addition, if a producer or group of producers like the author’s work, they
would have to pay for them to be able to use the certain work for interpretation.
Copyright allows him to earn a living with his creative inventions that serves
as entertainment and as a source of information for the community.
Copyright allows
the author to leave a legacy. Aside from the financial reward a copyrighted
creation can give the author, it also helps the work retain its own pride and
dignity. Copyright allows the creation (it may be a song, a novel, an artwork
or a sculpture) to stand for its master’s name even after a long time of
circulation.
Copyright
retains ownership of the creation. It covers protection for the lifetime of the
author and additional fifty (50) years after death. A copyrighted work of art
signifies the passion and dedication the author has during and after the time
of creation.
These are just
but some of the main reasons why an author or creator who take real effort,
passion and dedication in making art should secure the art’s intellectual
property rights. You may see the application form and requirements needed here and here. And
yes, if you are able to register your work and have it copyrighted, you have
all the rights to appeal for it getting stolen, abused or misquoted, and even
for improper distribution without the your consent.
For Intellectual Property Law & Litigation, visit http://ndvlaw.com/.
