Music organization warns vs use of copyrighted songs in Eleksyon 2022 campaigns

The Filipino Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (FILSCAP) reminded Eleksyon 2022 campaigns that the public playing of copyrighted songs, whether live or recorded, during campaign rallies or sorties required a license from the copyright owner.

In a statement, FILSCAP cited Section 177.6 of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

"This would include the playing of background music before or during the event, and the playing of entertainment music (e.g., during a song or dance performance) as they are considered 'public performance' under Sec. 171.6 of the IP Code. This rule equally applies to local and foreign copyrighted songs," it said.

FILSCAP added that the public performance license was different from the modification or adaptation license that needs to be secured if the lyrics of a copyrighted song were changed.

"It is also different from the 'reproduction license' (also called mechanical/synchronization license) that needs to be secured if a copyrighted song is recorded (e.g., incorporation of a song in a campaign video) pursuant to Sec. 177.1 of the IP Code," it added.

FILSCAP is currently the only organization accredited by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines to license, among others, the public performance in the country of copyrighted local and foreign songs. — DVM, GMA News