IPOPHL: Creative sector devt law to boost awareness on copyright
THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said the Philippine Creative Industries Development (PCID) Law will provide the agency its muchneeded boost in raising awareness on intellectual property across the creative economy
“IPOPHL is pleased to see the Philippine Creative Industries Development (PCID) Bill now finally a law,” IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba was quoted in a statement issued by the agency last Sunday.
Barba said that since the initiative to develop this measure began, the agency has been in full support of and cooperation with Congress “to witness this legislative measure come to fruition.”
According to the IPOPHL chief, Republic act 11904, which lapsed into law last July 27, mandates the creation of a long-term plan for the promotion and development of creative industries.
“It aims to spur efforts to sustain excellence in Filipinos’ creative endeavors through the protection of their intellectual property (IP) rights, among many other ways of support,” Barba was quoted in the statement as saying.
To fulfill its mandates, she said the law created the 19-member PCID Council, which IPOPHL is part of as an ex-officio member.
“Admittedly, more has to be done to address the lack of knowledge and understanding of IP rights among creative industries,” Barba said.
She said the agency has been reaching out to creative talents through intensified awareness and education campaigns and its ongoing Copyright Plus Project.
The project is the flagship program of the Bureau of Copyright and Related Rights (BCRR), which is aimed at helping marginalized creators realize the economic and cultural benefits of copyright and protection through registration.
In a statement issued two weeks ago, BCRR Director Emerson G. Cuyo underscored that the 2022 line up of Copyright Plus projects is inclusive of sectors who bring distinctive elements to their own crafts. He added that the program aims to empower local artists to become copyright ambassadors themselves.
The IPOPHL chief highlighted that the agency’s momentum is “fast accelerating” due to the surge in copyright deposits and recordation. Barba said copyright is one way to prove ownership over a work.
“In January to June this year, copyright deposits and recordation jumped by 129 percent year-on-year to 1,722,” Barba said.
As a member of the PCID Council, Barba said, the IPOPHL will assist in the drafting of the implementing rules and regulations of the new law.
“We also hope to expand the reach of our ongoing initiatives and also come up with new, relevant programs and projects to fulfill the goals of the PCID Act,” the IPOPHL chief said.