Respect rights of songwriters, candidates told

THE INTELLECTUAL Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has urged candidates to respect the rights of songwriters and composers as copyright owners of the music they may be using in their campaigns.

In a statement, IPOPHL said those running for public office must be role models for the protection and enhancement of these property rights.

“Songs, both lyrics and melody, are protected by copyright, which generally belong to the composers. As copyright owners, they alone have the right to authorize or prohibit, among others, the making of copies (reproduction), the modification (transformation) and public playing (public performance) of their musical compositions,” IPOPHL explained.

“For this reason, the songwriter’s consent is needed before creating a jingle based on their works. So does the singing of a song, or dancing along to it, during the campaign program. Consent is given by way of a contract usually involving the payment of fees generally known as royalties,” the agency said.  Amy R. Remo