FILCOLS at the Philippine-Korea Copyright Forum 2012

FILCOLS executive director Alvin J. Buenaventura participated in the Philippine-Korea Copyright Forum held at the Legend Villas, Mandaluyong City last December 7, 2012.

The event aims to strengthen cooperation between the two countries as regards copyright.

FILCOLS at the Kapihan sa SanLo

FILCOLS executive director Alvin J. Buenaventura explained Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement at the Kapihan sa SanLo last November 29, 2012.

Kapihan sa SanLo is an event tackling issues and events for the students and faculty of the Colegio de San Lorenzo located at Congressional Avenue, Quezon City.

FILCOLS at the Far Eastern University EduTech Forum

FILCOLS executive director Alvin J. Buenaventura explained how academicians and researchers can protect their copyright on the internet during the Far Eastern University (FEU) Educational Tech Forum held at the Audio Visual Room, Science building last November 26, 2012.

Dr. Michael M. Alba, newly appointed FEU president, opens the Forum.

The event was organized by Mr. Harold John D. Culala, director, Educational Technology which is under the university's Academic Development Office. The theme "World Wide Web: Implications to Intellectual Property Rights," addressed the concerns of university-based writers and even inventors.

FEU EduTech Forum organizers awarding the certificate of appreciation. (l-r) Mr. Harold John D. Culala, director, EduTech; Dr. Auxencia A. Limjap, consultant, Academic Development; Dr. Maria Teresa Trinidad P. Tinio, senior vice president for academic affairs, FEU; and Alvin J. Buenaventura, executive director, FILCOLS.

Buenaventura pointed out that while academicians are incensed by the rampant cases of plagiarism and "cut-and-paste" practice among students, there is indifference to large-scale photocopying of works for the internal use of educational institutions.

Plagiarism violates the moral rights of authors. Large-scale photocopying violates the economic rights of authors. Both deserve to be addressed properly. Moral rights and economic rights are the components of copyright.

FILCOLS agrees that some small and occasional photocopying of works may be allowed under Fair Use. These do not need the permission of the copyright owners. However, large-scale and systematic photocopying of copyrighted materials for the internal use of educational institutions may not be fair to rightsholders.

These large-scale photocopying "conflict with the normal exploitation of the work" (Berne Convention, 9.2) and go beyond what is fair because of its effect “upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.” (IP Code, sec. 185.d).

Just because the photocopied materials are for classroom use does not automatically mean the use is legal and fair.

"FILCOLS signed its first licensing agreement with The Manila Times College last July 2012. I appeal to FEU to address the problem of systematic and massive photocopying of copyrighted works by getting license from FILCOLS," Buenaventura stressed during his presentation.

FEU officials and faculty listen to Atty. Louie Andrew C. Calvario.

Atty. Louie Andrew C. Calvario who represented Director General Ricardo Blancaflor made a presentation on the government's thrusts and initiatives on IPRs and the internet. Calvario is the head of the Copyright Support Services Unit of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL).

Atty. Christopher Cruz explained how educators should stand as promoters of academic integrity among the studentry.

Atty. Christopher Cruz, De la Salle University - Manila IP Director and Assistant Professor.

The Panel of Reactors were Dr. Joey Tem, faculty, Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance; Mr. Freddie Quinito, faculty, Institute of Education; and Mr. Joeven Castro, head, University Research Center.

FEU EduTech Forum. (l-r) Harold John D. Culala, director, Educational Technology; Arch./En.P. Miguel M. Carpio, Ph.D., senior vice president for academic services; Dr. Auxencia A. Limjap, consultant, Academic Development; Alvin J. Buenaventura, executive director, FILCOLS; Dr. Michael M. Alba, president, FEU; Dr. Maria Teresa Trinidad P. Tinio, senior vice president for academic affairs; Atty. Louie Andrew C. Calvario, head, Copyright Support Services Unit, IPOPHL; and Atty. Christopher E. Cruz, assistant professor, De la Salle University - Manila.

FILCOLS cellphone broadcast for Mindanao State University

FILCOLS Executive Director Alvin J. Buenaventura conducted the first cellphone broadcast about copyright and intellectual property for students of the Mindanao State University Main Campus last November 24, 2012.

From Manila, Buenaventura broadcasted his lecture "Copyright Made Easy" in Filipino language to about 200 students in MSU campus located in the Islamic City of Marawi in Mindanao. It was held during the two-day event entitled 'Ndao Seminar-Worksyap sa Panitikan at the IPDM Hall, MSU Main Campus, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur which was organized by the Kolehiyo ng Kolehiyo ng Agham Panlipunan at Pangkatauhan, Departamento ng Filipino at Iba pang Wika (through the invitation of FILCOLS member Angelito Flores, Jr.) and Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Filipino (SAMAFIL, MSU-Marawi).

A short Q & A session with Buenaventura was also held right after the lecture. One of the students asked about the possibility of a student's imprisonment for photocopying a copyrighted work inside the campus. Buenaventura assured the audience that the legal way of reproducing a copyrighted work in institutions such as universities should be the educational institutions' advocacy and, at the same time, responsibility. Most of the time, the students photocopy copyrighted works because of class requirements and because the books in the library are not enough for the population of the students, Buenaventura added.

The students and faculty members who were present during the lecture gave a very positive feedback for the said activity.

FILCOLS at the PTV Special Forum: Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement

FILCOLS executive director Alvin J. Buenaventura explained laziness and pride as reasons behind the rampant plagiarism among students and even elected officials at the PTV Special Forum. The show was broadcast on PTV channel 4 last November 23, 2012.

Other guests were Inquirer journalist Conrado de Quiros, PhilStar columnist Jarius Bondoc, IPOPHL lawyer Louie Andrew C. Calvario.

The PTV Special Forum was hosted by Atty. Mark Castrodes and Cathy San Diego.

FILCOLS at the Punto de Vista Pelikula

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) organized the Punto de Vista Pelikula at the Darangen Room, NCCA building, Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila last November 20, 2012.

IPOPHL Director General Ricardo Blancaflor giving the opening remarks.

With the theme “Prospects for Collective Management and Audiovisual Performances,” the event featured speakers from collective management organizations (CMOs) in the Philippines.

FILCOLS executive director Alvin J. Buenaventura explained the work of a reproduction rights organization (RRO) for the book and publishing industry.

Atty. Mark Thursday Alciso explained collective management in music. Alciso is the acting general manager for the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (FILSCAP).

FILVADRO president Karen Ocampo-Flores presented how painters and visual artists organized the Filipino Visual Arts and Design Rights Organization to collectively manage their rights.

Speakers and Organizers. (l-r) Alvin J. Buenaventura, FILCOLS; Karen O. Flores, FILVADRO; Representative of NCCA executive director Emelita V. Almosara, DG Ric Blancaflor, Dr. Miguel Rapatan, NCCA cinema committee chair; and Mark Thursday Alciso, FILSCAP.

PRSP president Mitch Valdez explained the struggles of performers and what the Performers Rights Society of the Philippines is doing to address problems in the industry.

Singaporean Ang Kwee Tiang presented the international trends in collective management and how the new Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances can help the industry. KT Ang is the regional director for Asia Pacific region of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC).

Actor Rez Cortez, NCCA cinema committee execon member; Alvin J. Buenaventura, FILCOLS; and Singaporean K. T. Ang, CISAC.

The aim of the event is to help cinema directors, producers, scriptwriters, performers, cinematographers, and composers decide if they will set up a separate CMO or join existing ones.

Participants with the speakers and organizers of the Punto de Vista Pelikula.

Advisory from FILCOLS Member Adarna House

FROM FILCOLS MEMBER Adarna House: To celebrate the holidays, our offices will be closed from 11:00 AM on December 21, 2012 (Friday). Adarna shall be back in business on January 3, 2013 (Thursday). It has been another fruitful year for us here in Adarna House. And as usual, we have you to thank for it. Thank you for following our social accounts (Facebook, Twitter, and this blog), for visiting our website, for purchasing from our online store. Thank you for joining our workshops, attending our events, and for supporting our local authors and illustrators. We thank you for sharing our love for children, for education, and for the country. We are happy to have been a part of your 2012, and we look forward to another great year with you. Maligayang Pasko po, at masaganang bagong taon! Check this link for details: http://adarnahouse.wordpress.com/2012/12/17/see-you-in-2013/

Agreements with Georgia and Vietnam bring total to 15

The Filipinas Copyright Licensing Society, Inc. recently signed bilateral agreements with the Georgian Copyright Association (GCA) and the Vietnam Reproduction Rights Organization (VIETRRO), making a total of 15 bilateral agreements with RROs from different countries.

The agreements were concluded by FILCOLS board member and CentralBooks executive Jose Paolo M. Sibal and FILCOLS executive director Alvin J. Buenaventura at the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organizations (IFRRO) World Congress and annual general meeting held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in October 2012.

                Buenos Aires city center with the Metropolitan Cathedral at the corner of Plaza de Mayo.                             (Photo by Alvin J. Buenaventura)

Principle of national treatment

Bilateral agreements between collective management organizations (CMOs) or RROs are guided by the principle of national treatment. Championed by the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (Berne Convention), the principle of national treatment provides that foreign and local rightsholders be treated equally in countries who signed the international treaty.

The Philippines acceded in 1950 and the treaty was in force the next year. A total of 166 countries acceded to the Berne Convention. (http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/berne/)

Rightsholders refer to authors, publishers, heirs of authors, and other entities mandated partly or fully to manage copyright.

This means that Filipino authors are protected by law in Georgia with the same level of protection given to Georgian authors. In the same manner, Georgian authors are protected by law in the Philippines with the same level of protection given to Filipino authors.

Also known as “repertoire swap,” the bilateral agreements allow national RROs to exchange and in turn increase the body of works they manage. Due to the differences in legislation and structure of CMOs, these agreements facilitate the management of rights and exchange of remuneration.

Georgia Copyright Association

Chairman Giga Kobaladze and deputy chairwoman Tamar Kemularia signed the agreement for GCA. (http://www.sas.org.ge/index.php?cid=1&lang=eng)

Jose Paolo M. Sibal, Alvin J.Buenaventura, Tamar Kemularia, Giga Kobaladze. (Photo by Alvin J. Buenaventura)

GCA was incorporated in 1999. In 2006, it renewed its registration with the Georgian Justice Ministry and received special status as “a non-profit legal union created to implement and protect the rights of its member authors and performers, or their successors.”

GCA is the only collective management organization recognized by the Ministry of Justice. It is a multi-purpose CMO which manages copyright and related rights in Georgia. This means that GCA performs the functions of an RRO and CMO for music, video, visual arts, and performers.  

FILCOLS is the national RRO which manages the secondary use of copyrighted text and image only. The Philippine music CMO is the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (FILSCAP). Because FILCOLS and FILSCAP manage the rights of different rightsholders, GCA signed separate bilateral agreements with them.

One of the new republics in the South Caucasus, Georgia has a land area of about 69,700 sq. km. (26,000 sq. mi.) and a population of 4.7 million. It is bounded by Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Black Sea.

 Viet Nam Reproduction Rights Organization

Dr. Cao Kim Anh, head of communications and external relations, signed the agreement for VIETRRO. (http://vietrro.org.vn/index.php)

Alvin J. Buenaventura, Dr. Cao Kim Anh, and Jose Paolo M. Sibal. (Photo by Larry Goldbetter)

In 2010, the Ministry of Home Affairs of Viet Nam approved the establishment of VIETRRO.

VIETRRO is the national RRO in the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. Viet Nam is a member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), it has a land area of about 331,000 sq. km. (128,000 sq. mi.) and a population of 87 million.

In the past, FILCOLS signed agreements with RROs from Argentina, Australia, Colombia, Denmark, India, Japan, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, and US. 

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The author allows the reposting of the unaltered article along with photos in other websites as long as the following is included at the end:

Text by Alvin J. Buenaventura. Photos by Alvin J. Buenaventura and Larry Goldbetter. For more information, please visit http://filcols.blogspot.com