Copyright is the legal protection extended to the owner of the rights in an original work. “Original work” refers to intellectual creation in the literary, scientific and artistic domain.

Among the literary and artistic works enumerated in the IP Code are books and other writings, musical works, films and photographic works, ornamental designs or models of manufacture, paintings, sculptures, and other works of arts, as well computer programs and mobile apps, etc.

The IP Code grants authors, artists, and other creators, automatic protection for their literary and artistic creations, from the moment they create it.

Registration and deposit of your works isn’t necessary but authors and artists may opt to file for the copyright registration of their work with IPOPHL for the issuance of the appropriate certificate of copyright registration.

Copyright transfers and assignments, as well as exclusive license and mortgage agreements, may be registered with IPOPHL. Copyright registrations and notice of copyright transfers, assignments, etc. are posted online in the IPOPHL website. 

Benefits

The creators of works protected by copyright hold the exclusive right to use or authorize others to use the work on agreed terms.

The right holder(s) of a work can authorize or prohibit: its reproduction in all forms, including print form and sound recording, public performance and communication to the public, broadcasting, translation into other languages, and  adaptation, such as from a novel to a screenplay for a film.

• Memorandum Circular No. 2020-026 Revised Rules and Regulations on Accreditation of Collective Management Organizations
• Memorandum Circular No. 2020-025 Revised Rules and Regulations on Copyright Registration and Recordation
• Memorandum Circular No. 2020- 024 Copyright Rules And Regulations for the Government
• Memorandum Circular No. 2020-023 Implementing Rules and Regulations on Resale Rights
• Memorandum Circular No. 2020-022 Revised Rules and Regulations on the Resolution of Disputes

ELIGIBILITY

Works covered by copyright that can be deposited with IPOPHL are, but are not limited to: novels, poems, plays, reference works, newspapers, advertisements, computer programs, databases, films, musical compositions, choreography, paintings, drawings, photographs, sculpture, architecture, maps and technical drawings.

To learn more about the works covered by copyright, refer to the Copyright Reference Book

TERMS OF PROTECTION

The term of protection for copyright in literary and artistic works, and in derivative works is generally the lifetime of the author plus fifty (50) years. However, different rules may apply in:

- Works of joint authorship

- Works of anonymous or pseudonymous works

- Photographic works

- Works of applied art

- Audio-visual works

See how these are different in the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, Chapter XVI, Section 213.