30 January 2008, Pasig City – In a landmark move to protect the intellectual property rights (IPR) of Filipino writers, the Filipinas Copyright Licensing Society (Filcols), the first collection society for book authors in the country, was formally launched with the induction of nine board members. The induction rites were led by Atty. Adrian S. Cristobal, Jr., Director General of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IP Philippines).

The establishment of collection societies, such as Filcols, is part of the strategic plan of IP Philippines. Collection societies will manage arrangements for copyright licensing, marketing, and distribution of the members’ works, and enforce their IPR. Filcols will handle, among others, the collection of royalties for its members.

“The community of writers would benefit economically from the establishment of Filcols. Once the systems are in place, writers will no longer be called or call themselves ‘starving artists’ because Filcols will be the muscle to collect what is due them every time their pieces are used. The collection society will also be actively marketing their work. Filcols is the realization of one of my aspirations for Filipino writers,” said National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario, who is also Filcols chairman.

IP Philippines, through its Copyright Support Services Unit, aims to facilitate the creation of four collecting societies by 2009. Copyright, a branch of intellectual property, pertains to a set of rights accorded to creators or authors for their literary and artistic works. The domain of works includes writings; music; fine art such as photography, paintings or sculpture; and technology-based works such as computer programs.

Lirio P. Sandoval of the Book Publishing Industry Association is the society’s treasurer. Authors are represented in the board by literary luminaries Isagani R. Cruz, Abdon M. Balde, Jr., Galileo S. Zafra, and Mariano L. Kilates. Meanwhile, local textbook publishers and local trade book publishers are represented by Jerry Vicente S. Catabijan and Karina Bolasco, respectively. Foreign publishers are represented by Rolando R. de Vera, the collection society’s executive director.

“Harnessing our cultural heritage is crucial not only for our national identity, but also for sustainable development and wealth creation,” Cristobal said.

“Hence, the protection, development, and promotion of the arts, as well as science and technology, are vital in nurturing a culture of innovation. Copyright, which covers the creative industries, is one of the eight sectors in the Philippine Intellectual Property Strategy that IP Philippines is spearheading,” Cristobal added.

The Philippine IP Policy Strategy lists the following strategic actions for the copyright and other creative industries sector:

• Formulate and implement policies to govern databases, author’s rights, reproduction rights and fair use
• Strengthen support services at IP Philippines for the copyright sector
• Institutionalize coordination among IP Philippines, National Book Development Board (NBDB), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and other relevant agencies to protect and promote the copyright and creative industries
• Formulate and implement policies for the recognition and accreditation of copyright collection management organizations
• Study and analyze the impact and benefits of the country’s accession to the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) Internet Treaties

Other policy areas in the policy strategy are public health; patent reform; universities, and research and development institutions (RDI); biodiversity and genetic resources; indigenous knowledge, systems and practices (IKSP), folklore and geographical indications (GI); small and medium enterprises (SME); and institutional capacity-building and IP enforcement. These sectors represent the country’s assets, which will be harnessed to foster a creative and competitive Philippines that uses intellectual property for national development. 

Media that featured the story:

• Business Mirror (2/23/2008)
• Inquirer (3/10/2008)
• http://homepage.mac.com
• http://inquirer.net