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 strengthen access to copyright education and provide free legal assistance to Filipino creatives. 

Formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on March 31, 2026, the collaboration aims to deepen public awareness of copyright law while making legal support more accessible to artists and creators. 

At the core of the partnership is the establishment of a Copyright Seminar and Legal Aid Clinic—an outreach program designed to equip creators with practical knowledge on copyright and enable onsite registration of their works with IPOPHL. 

“Through this Copyright Seminar and the Legal Aid Clinic, we move beyond awareness to direct public service,” said IPOPHL Acting Director General (ADG) Nathaniel S. Arevalo. “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.” 

Under the Intellectual Property (IP) Code of the Philippines and relevant international treaties, creative works are automatically protected by copyright from the moment of creation. However, registration remains strongly encouraged, as it provides additional proof of ownership that can be critical in enforcing rights in cases of infringement. 

ADG Arevalo further underscored that beyond supporting enforcement efforts and dispute resolution, registration also plays a key role in unlocking economic opportunities for creators. 

“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,” he said. “It is a simple but strategic step that helps transform creative output into protected and valuable assets.” 

In her opening message, Deputy Director General Ann Claire Credo-Cabochan noted the growing interest among emerging artists and creators in understanding how to maximize the value of their work. 

“We would like to extend our reach to more artists, creators and even entrepreneurs to be able to leverage their creations and works—to earn from it, and to protect it as well through registration,” she said. 

In the long term, the partnership seeks to build a stronger support ecosystem for creatives and copyright holders. This includes a network of informed legal professionals, advocates and government partners equipped to address real-world copyright issues that artists, creators and copyright holders face, ranging from questions of ownership and fair use to licensing, enforcement and infringement. 

Rowel I. Ilagan, President of IBP QC, called the partnership “an expression of the legal institution’s commitment to make legal services accessible and meaningful to the community.” 

The Copyright Seminar and Legal Aid Clinic fulfill the mandate of the Supreme Court’s rules on the Unified Legal Aid Service or ULAS, which ensures legal assistance for marginalized sectors and those who cannot afford it. 

Emerson G. Cuyo, Director of IPOPHL’s Bureau of Copyright and Related Rights, highlighted the partnership as a milestone in engaging with the creative community. 

“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. Today, we begin to change that.” Dir. Cuyo said. # # # (Rawl Maliwat, Communications & Marketing Writer)