3 weeks ago
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Copyright registrations and deposits in the Philippines reached a record high in 2024, signaling a growing appreciation for intellectual property (IP) protection, according to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL).
Data from IPOPHL show that 6,552 certificates were issued last year, a slight increase from 6,522 in 2023.
Since 2020, which saw only 940 issued certificates, the copyright registrations and deposits in the country are on an upward trajectory.
“More individuals and organizations are realizing the added value of registering and depositing their works with the National Library of the Philippines through IPOPHL,” said IPOPHL Director General Brigitte da Costa-Villaluz in a statement.
“Certificates covering registration and deposit not only provide additional proof of creation and ownership, but also help authors and creators unlock commercial opportunities,” she added.
The IPOPHL chief said these certificates serve as essential documents for licensing negotiations and settlement of intellectual property disputes.
She added that social media platforms are now more open to accepting such certificates to resolve claims of content misuse.
Over half of the copyright registrations last year, specifically 65 percent, were for books, pamphlets, articles, e-books, audiobooks, comics, novels, and other writing-related IP.
This was followed by computer programs, software, games, and applications, accounting for 10 percent.
Musical compositions with or without lyrics, along with drawings, paintings, architectural works, sculpture, engraving, prints, and other works of art, each had a seven percent share.
As creatives are lining up to register their work, IPOPHL’s Bureau of Copyright and Related Rights (BCRR) has committed to enhancing its service quality.
BCRR Director Emerson Cuyo said that they recently launched registration forms that are simpler and more user-friendly.
“These updates are designed to streamline the process, making it easier for creators to register and deposit their works in just a few minutes,” said Cuyo.
“Our goal is to accelerate the process and reduce waiting times, ensuring authors can protect their rights quickly and efficiently," he added.
Apart from this, IPOPHL is planning to introduce additional enhancement in the coming months to further digitalize and modernize the copyright registration and deposit process.
This is aimed at providing faster certificate turnaround times and more convenient services for creators nationwide, the agency said.
