The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is on the lookout for possible rise in infringement complaints from artists against election candidates who use their work without consent and compensation for their campaign materials.
Rowel Barba, director-general of IPOPHL, said campaign jingles had been the biggest source of infringement complaints in past election periods.
Barba said IPOPHL remains to have its eyes wide open on possible cases and disputes that may arise involving new marketing trends in the 2022 elections especially with social media now becoming the battleground for political marketing.
He encouraged aggrieved artists to demand a fee or request a takedown of infringing content.
“Candidates should ensure they have a high ethical standard in using others’ works and must be mindful of how they use copyrighted works. (They should) encourage their supporters to do the same when creating materials for their online promotions or self-organized rallies, if they want to avoid backlash and a decrease in supporters,” Barba said.
Authorization from intellectual property owners and compensating them for the use their works for political campaigns is enshrined in the IP Code of 1997.
These works include photos, audiovisual content and songs for political advertisements and promotional materials. Playing copyrighted works like songs to the public, even through sorties or motorcades, may also require a fee.
Artists or authors have the right to refuse the communication of a work to the public under the IP Code of 1997. – Irma Isip
