Building and Safeguarding Your Creative Work: Understanding Copyright

 

   Ever wondered how castles are built? Well, just like any form of art, whether music, film, book, painting, or literally anything that came from your imagination, it takes a lot of time and effort. Imagine your creative work as a castle you made—it is valuable and most definitely yours. Every stone is thoughtfully positioned, the walls are tall, and the gates are magnificent. However, castles can draw undesired attention or thieves, as we all know. That is where copyright comes in! 

What is Copyright? 

    To put it simply, copyright is the legal protection for the original works of an owner. The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (IP Code) grants copyright to both original literary and artistic works, as well as their derivatives. The works are protected from the moment of their creation. In the Philippines, copyright protection begins on the first day of the year after the creator's death and lasts for 50 years after their passing, including posthumous works. Thus, copyright basically serves as your security guard—or even a giant, iron gate protecting your work.

What is Copyright Infringement? 

    When someone uses, copies, or distributes a work without the owner's consent, it is considered copyright infringement. The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293, as revised by RA 10372), which safeguards authors' rights over their original works, contains measures that address copyright infringement under Philippine law. Literary, creative, and derivative works are all protected by copyright, which is essential to preserving the authenticity of property rights.

Ways to Keep Your Work Even Safer:   

1. Use Watermark- Use a watermark to make sure your identity is still evident even if someone else takes your work.

Image sample by Freepik

2. Register it- Although it's not necessary, it strengthens your legal position if things go wrong.  
You may check this link: How to Register and Deposit your Copyrighted Works | IPOPHL 

Image by Freepik

3. Use Creative Commons Licenses- If you WANT to allow others to use your work, but on your terms, use Creative Commons Licenses. You retain ownership even if you permit sharing, remixing, or even commercial use!

Image from Creative Commons

 
   In conclusion, copyright protects your creativity and hard work by serving as the iron gate to your creative fortress. Whether you decide to employ Creative Commons licenses, watermark your work, or register it, protecting your inventions not only protects your rights but also guarantees that your ideas are appreciated. Treat your original works as something of high value; you must protect it, and it will continue to stand firm for years to come. 

   Protect your creative work today—register it, watermark it, or use Creative Commons licenses. Take the first step in securing your ideas and ensuring your rights are respected! 
Make sure to like, follow, or comment your thoughts down below! Oh, and check out our informative video:
https://youtu.be/EL8u7sdVx6U?si=rk_MukrnUOnbb9yk

References:
Respicio Law discusses copyright infringement in detail here.

You can read more about copyright law in the Philippines on AAQ Law's website here.