The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), through its Bureau of Copyright
and Related Rights (BCRR), has completed a coaching workshop
aimed at expanding writers' and publishers’ knowledge on copyright protection for their written property and
ensure they benefit optimally when their works hit the markets.
The workshop followed the recent publication of the first copyright guide book for writers. The e-book
"The Written Property,” touted as the first book on copyright to guide
writers in the Philippine publishing industry, was virtually launched earlier
this month by the Freelance Writers' Guild of the Philippines (FWGP) in
collaboration with the BCRR.
The e-book provides comprehensive answers to the most common questions freelance writers and
publishers have on copyright, which range across the basics of copyright law,
protected works and derivative works and remedies against copyright
infringement.
“The copyright law can
be complex, especially for writers who are just starting to get their works
published,” said BCCR Director Emerson G. Cuyo.
“The writers and lawyers
who have worked on this book actually wished they had such a guide when they
were starting their writing careers so as to have made more intelligent and
informed decisions on the publishing contracts that they had previously entered
into,” Cuyo said.
The e-book also provides
comprehensive answers to the most common questions freelance writers and
publishers have on copyright, which range across the basics of copyright law,
protected works and derivative works and remedies against copyright
infringement.
“We offer ‘The Written Property’ to provide
writers a sense of certainty to brave the different but exciting world of
getting their works out there. We want them to know what intellectual property
(IP) considerations they should look out for or should include in a contract
and what they can do in the face of misunderstanding or even malign practices,”
Cuyo added.
The Written Property
project forms part of the BCRR’s Copyright Plus Program, which aims to help
marginalized and underrepresented sectors in the local creative industry. It
was proposed by Beverly “Bebang” Siy, a copyright advocate and the author of
the autobiography series “It’s a Mens World” and “It’s Raining Mens.”
The FWGP took charge of
drafting the guide book with the BCRR as one of its editors especially on
aspects of the copyright law.
The e-book can be
downloaded through this link for P200. A printed version will be available
for sale in the coming months.
Aside from deploying a copyright guide, the BCRR
recently conducted this March a hybrid coaching activity for young future
writers and publishers in partnership with the World IP Organization (WIPO).
The event aims to help
writers and publishers develop, publish and market their books while
sufficiently protecting what they can reap from their moral and economic rights
over the present and future sales of their copyrighted works.
The endeavor is part of the WIPO Response to
COVID-19: Supporting Access to Education in a Safe and Healthy IP Ecosystem
Project, which aims to aid students and teachers by providing access to needed
educational and reference materials in physical and digital formats.
“As the coaching event
encourages the publication of new books, it can boost our nation’s educational
system with the publication of much-needed educational materials,” IPOPHL
Director General Rowel S. Barba said.
Around 250 writers and
publishers took part in the hybrid workshop, gaining a better grasp of the IP
system and its links to a successful publishing career.
The one-day coaching event featured renowned
authors and publishing experts as lecturers who shared their knowledge and
experience in starting a career in book writing and publishing.
Headlining the local speakers were Dr. Luis
Gatmaitan, children’s book author and chair of the National Council for
Children’s Television; Dr. Cheeno Marlo Sayuno, assistant professor of the
University of the Philippines Los Baños’ Department of Humanities; and Vida
Cruz-Borja, fantasy and science fiction author.
International experts Ji-Woong Kang, editor and
chief editor of Science Magazine EPI, and Hye-Sook Kang, professional
illustrator and writer for children’s books also talked about their
experiences.