COPYRIGHT registrations filed with the government’s intellectual property (IP) office rose by 24.36 percent in the first three months of 2025, suggesting a growing awareness of the importance of IP protection.
Data released on Monday, April 28, by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in collaboration with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), revealed that filings had totaled 1,700 from January to March compared with 1,367 during the same period in 2024.
Copyright registrations for musical compositions accounted for 4.94 percent of total filings, while sound recordings made up 1.12 percent.
Amid the ongoing boom in the Philippine music scene, IPOPHL Director General Brigitte da Costa-Villaluz highlighted the importance of ensuring that creators are fairly compensated through increased IP awareness, education and capacity building.
She also stressed the need for stronger enforcement, particularly in the digital space, where creators face significant challenges due to rampant piracy and infringement.
“The duty of course to inform holders of rights which can be protected is IPOPHL’s. Nonetheless, we call on support for this endeavor. We have capacity building projects in place,” da Costa-Villaluz said.
“IPOPHL by itself will not be able to reach everyone, but we know that with your help, we will be able to reach more,” she said further.
Creative economy
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque highlighted the contribution of the IPOPHL in the development of the local creatives sector.
“As we adopt a whole-of-government approach to unlock opportunities for our creative industries and elevate Filipino talent, we are also forging global partnerships and embracing digital transformation to enhance our country’s competitive edge,” Roque said.
“These efforts directly support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision for ‘Bagong Pilipinas, ’a nation that creates more quality jobs, delivers world-class Filipino-made products, fosters innovation, and strengthens pride in our homegrown industries,” she added.
In 2024, the DTI said that the creative economy had contributed 7.3 percent to the country’s GDP, valued at P1.94 trillion, growing by 8.7 percent from the past year.
Employment in the creative economy has also reached 7.51 million in 2024, representing 15.4 percent of the country’s total employment. (Alden M. Monzon © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
