Copy & Repro conference to tackle book piracy at the 35th Manila International Book Fair

Photocopying and scanning whole textbooks called “book alikes” is a lucrative business in and around educational institutions. Book piracy, online and offline, is rampant and is one of the reasons for the inclusion of the Philippines in the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Special 301 Watch List.

The USTR Special 301 Watch List “identify those countries that deny adequate and effective protection for IP rights or deny fair and equitable market access for persons that rely on IP protection.”

Philippines removed from the US piracy list

Under the leadership of Intellectual Property Office (IP Philippines) director general Ricardo R. Blancaflor and the National Committee on IPR (NCIPR), the Philippines was removed from the USTR Special 301 Watch List this year. The country has been on the list for the past 20 years. 

But it does not mean that the country has eradicated book piracy. IP Philippines and its partners in government and in the private sector set-up mechanisms to protect IPRs including combating book piracy.

IP Philippines spearheaded the campaign for the successful signing into law of RA 10372 which amended the Law on Copyright in early 2013.  Aside from raids of stores selling counterfeit goods and seizure of pirated books in some photocopy shops, it promotes awareness on the law’s significant provisions on IPRs.

To shed light on the implications of the new copyright law to educational institutions, the Brussels-based International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organizations (IFRRO), the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP), and the Filipinas Copyright Licensing Society (FILCOLS) organized Copy & Repro: International Conference on IP Policies and Copyright Licensing for Schools and Universities.

Copy & Repro is a special event at the 35^th Manila International Book Fair. Partner organizations for the event are IP Philippines, the National Book Development Board (NBDB), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Copy & Repro is the first international conference to tackle RA 10372's implications to educational institutions

Copyright experts from different countries will discuss the implications of Republic Act 10372 on book piracy and the mandatory crafting of intellectual property (IP) policies for schools and universities during a whole day international conference on September 19 at the Function Room 2, SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

Keeping the Philippines Off the USTR's Watch List

Keynote address “Keeping the Philippines Off the USTR’s Watch List” will be delivered by IP Philippines director general Ricardo R. Blancaflor. 

Implications of Mandatory IP Policies for Schools and Universities under RA 10372

CHED’s Dr. Napoleon K. Juanillo Jr. will talk about the “Implications of Mandatory IP Policies for Schools and Universities under RA 10372.” Dr. Juanillo is director of CHED’s Office of Planning, Research, and Knowledge Management.

Under sec. 230 RA 10372, schools and universities are mandated to craft their “IP policies that would govern the use and creation of IP with the purpose of safeguarding the intellectual creations of the learning institution and its employees.” 

The law emphasized that these IP policies must “adopt locally-established industry practice fair use guidelines.” The law added that these IP “policies may be developed in relation to licensing agreements entered into by the learning institution with a collective licensing organization.”

Fair Use (in US and Philippine law) and Fair Dealing (in UK, Australia, and Singapore law)

The first panel discussion will look at “Exceptions and Limitations and Education Licensing – how they can and should work together.” The resource persons will look at Fair Use/ Fair Dealing in relation to the systematic and massive reproduction of copyrighted works in educational institutions.

Panel moderator will be Olav Stokkmo, IFRRO’s CEO. Stokkmo will present the European perspective on the topic. 

Atty. Sedfrey M. Candelaria will discuss Fair Use in the Philippine copyright law. Atty. Candelaria is the dean of the Ateneo de Manila Law School.

Michael Healy will discuss Fair Use in the US copyright law. Healy is the executive director for Authors and Publishers Relations at the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC). Prior to working at CCC, Healy was the designated executive director for the Google Settlement’s proposed Book Rights Registry.

Kevin Fitzgerald, CMG will discuss Fair Dealing in the UK copyright law. Fitzgerald is the CEO of the Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA). Queen Elizabeth II recently recognized Fitzgerald’s services to Britain by appointing him Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG).

Licensing Physical and Digital Reproduction in Higher Education

The second panel will discuss “Licensing Physical and Digital Reproduction in Higher Education.” The panel will talk about the changes and developments in Higher Education sector especially how content is used, the new learning management systems, and new methods of course delivery.  Emphasis will also be on new licensing models like open access and creative commons.

Panel moderator will be Caroline Morgan, chair of the Asia Pacific Committee of IFRRO. Morgan will also talk about the situation in Australian schools and universities. Aside from her work as general manager at the Copyright Agency (CA), Morgan is chair of IFRRO’s Legal Issues Committee and member of the Digital Issues Group.

CA chief executive Jim Alexander will share about his role in “developing systems for efficient worldwide collective management of digital rights.” He taught in Australian universities before working at CA.

Paul Wee will talk about the situation between the Copyright Licensing and Administration Society of Singapore (CLASS) and universities in the city-state like the National University of Singapore. Wee is the chief executive of CLASS.

Paula Browning, chair of the Copyright Council of New Zealand, will discuss the challenges in the complex digital environment facing New Zealand educational institutions.

Dr. Isagani Cruz, chair of FILCOLS, will talk about the Philippine situation especially the K -12 Programme and the use of new technology to deliver content in HEIs. Dr. Cruz was a former undersecretary of education, a critic, and award-winning author. He is the president of The Manila Times College, the first private college licensee of FILCOLS.

Conference fees

Conference fees include morning and afternoon snacks, lunch, certificate of participation, and conference kit. Regular rate is PHP 1,500.00. Discounted rate is PHP 1,200.00 for SUCs and for groups of three (3) or more participants from the same institution. Limited slots only, please register early. Deadline for registration is on September 5, 2014.

For more details and to know how to register, please visit http://www.manilabookfair.com/events.html or call Ms. Ran Espiridion at telefax (632) 433-2204 or email filcols@gmail.com.