IPOPHL, COMELEC unite to safeguard creators’ rights in 2025 elections

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The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is collaborating with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to protect the intellectual property (IP) rights of artists whose works may be used without permission in the campaign period leading up to the 2025 elections.

This is the first time that IPOPHL is partnering with COMELEC as the nation prepares for the 2025 national and local elections.

IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba and COMELEC Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the week-long 2nd Philippine International Copyright Summit (PICS) held in Novotel Manila Araneta City. IPOPHL Deputy Director General Ann Claire C. Cabochan and COMELEC Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand P. Maceda, Jr. served as witnesses.

“This agreement marks an important first step in promoting respect for IP rights during elections as it establishes the framework for future joint efforts,” said Barba.

“This MOU will pave the way for initiatives that will ensure that candidates are held accountable for the materials they use, which will foster a culture of respect for IP in our electoral system,” said Barba.

Under the agreement, IPOPHL and COMELEC will work together to increase copyright awareness and compliance of aspirants and candidates with the IP Code of 1997, ensuring fairness and compliance with the law before and throughout the campaign.

While COMELEC’s Garcia explained that an IP violation is not an election offense which could forfeit an aspirant’s candidature, it is committed to support initiatives to hold individuals accountable for the violation of any law during the candidacy period and to be aggressive in exposing violators as a way to educate voters.

“‘Di pa nga nahahalal, nagnanakaw na eh, intellectual property pa. Eh ‘di how much more kapag nahalal na? ‘Yan ang dapat natin i-emphasize na pagbabasehan ng mga kababayan natin sa pagboto… That’s a signal on the part of the voters na huwag iboto ‘yan [They haven’t even been elected yet, and they’re already stealing, and it’s no less than intellectual property at that. So how much more when they do get elected? That’s what we should emphasize to our fellow citizens when it comes to voting…. That’s a signal for the voters not to vote for that person],” Garcia said.

“Our creators should be rewarded, not robbed, and this is the commitment of COMELEC,” he added.

The campaign period for national elections is scheduled from February 11 to May 10, while the campaign period for local elections is slated from March 28 to May 10.

Earlier, IPOPHL urged political candidates and groups in the upcoming elections to respect IP rights when using existing copyrighted works in developing their promotion materials.

“For this election season, candidates and campaign teams must understand that when they use songs, images or videos without permission, they violate the IP rights of artists and authors. These creators deserve recognition, respect and fair compensation for the use of their works,” Barba reiterated. (Joseph Frederic Nacino/IPOPHL)