Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Copyright Experts from US, Norway & Singapore to deliver lectures on IP to Educ Sector

Kick-Off Activity for Manila International Book Fair @ SMX

Intellectual Property (IP) or Copyright experts/authorities from the United States, Norway and Singapore will deliver lectures before local college and university officials on Sept. 13.

“Copyright: Empowering the Research University,” a forum about intellectual property, copyright, research and education, happens at Meeting Rooms 12 & 13 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 13 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. The lecture will kick-off the Manila International Book Fair which officially opens at 6 p.m. at SMX on the same day.

To deliver lectures at the forum are Bruce Funkhouser, executive director of the International Division of the Copyright Clearance Center of the United States, on licensing solutions in the U.S.; John-Willy Rudolph, senior adviser, Kopinor of Norway, on the experiences of Kopinor with some of the best educational institutions in Norway; and Paul Wee, chief executive officer of the Copyright Licensing and Administration Society of Singapore (CLASS) on the Singaporean experience.

Top officials including heads, deans, officers, legal counsels and intellectual property officers from universities and colleges are invited to attend.

The opening remarks will be delivered by Dr. Isagani R. Cruz, chair of the Filipinas Copyright Licensing Society (FILCOLS) , the main organizer of the event. A non-profit organization of copyright owners, FILCOLS aims to collectively manage the reproduction rights of copyright owners.

During the forum, FILCOLS executive director Alvin Buenaventura will present to the education sector how it could help colleges and universities become top research institutions through the collective management societies or the Philippines’ national reproduction rights organizations (RRO).

Collective management of rights is the solution used by RROs in many countries to address the massive unauthorized photocopying and scanning of copyrighted works. These RROs formed the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organizations (IFRRO) in 1984. FILCOLS became the latest IFRRO member on June 2009.

National Book Development Board (NBDB) executive director Atty. Andrea Pasion-Flores and a representative from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) will join the question-and-answer session after the lectures and the presentation of the RRO proposal.

Book Development Board of the Philippines (BDBP) president Lirio P. Sandoval will deliver the closing remarks.

Registration to the forum is at P500. Pre-registration is REQUIRED. There are only 80 slots. First come, first served. For details, please contact Maricel Cartujano at 747-9250 local 401, 746-7162, 0919-3175708 or filcols@gmail.com. You may also visit filcols@blogspot.com for a backgrounder on FILCOLS. This event is made possible with the help of the Norwegian Copyright Development Association (NORCODE) and RRO of Norway, KOPINOR.

Written by Claire Agbayani

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Buhay na Titik: Joint Ventures ng Pinoy at Foreign Publishers

ni Alvin J. Buenaventura ng FILCOLS


Joint Ventures ng Pinoy at Foreign Publishers


Isa sa mga strategy ng gobyerno para mapaunlad ang industriya ng paglilimbag ng libro ay ang pagbibigay-daan para magkaroon ng joint ventures ang mga publisher na Pinoy at foreigner.



Ang National Book Development Board ang ahensiya ng gobyerno na siyang inatasan ng batas na paunlarin ang book publishing industry.



Bakit isinusulong ng NBDB ang joint ventures? Baka gastos lang ito at wala namang mapapala ang mga Pinoy dito. Di ba luma at laos na ang mga makinarya ng mga Pinoy publisher kaya lugi lang tayo sa ganitong sitwasyon?



Hindi po.



Ang joint ventures ng mga Pinoy at foreign publisher ay isang daan para mapalago ang book publishing industry sa bansa. Ito ay matagal nang ginagawa ng mauunlad na publisher sa ibang bansa tulad ng UK at US.



Subukan mong magbuklat ng isang UK o US book. Makikita mo na hindi lang ang bansa nila ang nasa copyright page kundi pati ang iba pang mga bansa. Bakit ganito? Kasi ang publishing ngayon ay pinadali at pinabilis na ng internet.



Halimbawa, ang mga text at images ay isinusulat at ginagawa sa UK. Tapos ay gagawin ang lay-out sa India. Pag naka-lay-out na at ready na ang mga pahina ay ipapadala through email sa Hong Kong. At doon na iyon ipapa-print.



Dahil sa sistemang ito nama-maximize ang talent ng bawat bansa. At marami ang nabibigyan ng trabaho. Nabibigyan din ng training ang mga newcomers. Ang mga nasa UK ay magaling sa research at illustrations. Ang mga nasa India naman ay experts sa lay-out. At ang mga taga- Hong Kong naman ay may mga bagong makina para sa printing na pinatatakbo ng bihasang operators.



Mahalaga ang joint ventures hindi lang dahil sa mga trabahong malilikha nito sa publishing industry at sa pagbubukas ng bagong negosyo kundi dahil sa transfer of technology at ang paglawak ng market para sa mga akdang Pinoy.



Dahil sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga advanced publisher ay nalilipat sa ating local publishers ang mga kaalaman pati na ang technology. Dito tayo lalago at magkakaroon ng lakas para makasali sa global stage.



Katuwang ng NBDB sa pagpapaunlad ng industriya ang FILCOLS. Para mas maging malalim at malusog ang iyong kaalaman, bisitahin ang websites namin: www.filcols.blogspot.com at www.nbdb.gov.ph.



Inaanyayahan ang mga awtor, publisher, o tagapagmana ng copyright na sumali sa FILCOLS. Ito’y para mabigyang proteksiyon ang kanilang mga akda. Kailangan lamang ay mayroon kayong published works kung kayo ay awtor/publisher o nasa inyo ang kapangyarihang magmanage kung heirs kayo ng awtor. Wala pong membership fee. Kung may tanong hinggil sa tinalakay na paksa, mag-email lamang sa filcols@gmail.com.

Joint Ventures ng Pinoy at Foreign Publishers

25 Agosto 2011

Buhay na Titik
ni Alvin Buenaventura ng FILCOLS

Isa sa mga strategy ng gobyerno para mapaunlad ang industriya ng paglilimbag ng libro ay ang pagbibigay-daan para magkaroon ng joint ventures ang mga publisher na Pinoy at foreigner.

Ang National Book Development Board ang ahensiya ng gobyerno na siyang inatasan ng batas na paunlarin ang book publishing industry.

Bakit isinusulong ng NBDB ang joint ventures? Baka gastos lang ito at wala namang mapapala ang mga Pinoy dito. Di ba luma at laos na ang mga makinarya ng mga Pinoy publisher kaya lugi lang tayo sa ganitong sitwasyon?

Hindi po.

Ang joint ventures ng mga Pinoy at foreign publisher ay isang daan para mapalago ang book publishing industry sa bansa. Ito ay matagal nang ginagawa ng mauunlad na publisher sa ibang bansa tulad ng UK at US.

Subukan mong magbuklat ng isang UK o US book. Makikita mo na hindi lang ang bansa nila ang nasa copyright page kundi pati ang iba pang mga bansa. Bakit ganito? Kasi ang publishing ngayon ay pinadali at pinabilis na ng internet.

Halimbawa, ang mga text at images ay isinusulat at ginagawa sa UK. Tapos ay gagawin ang lay-out sa India. Pag naka-lay-out na at ready na ang mga pahina ay ipapadala through email sa Hong Kong. At doon na iyon ipapa-print.

Dahil sa sistemang ito nama-maximize ang talent ng bawat bansa. At marami ang nabibigyan ng trabaho. Nabibigyan din ng training ang mga newcomers. Ang mga nasa UK ay magaling sa research at illustrations. Ang mga nasa India naman ay experts sa lay-out. At ang mga taga- Hong Kong naman ay may mga bagong makina para sa printing na pinatatakbo ng bihasang operators.

Mahalaga ang joint ventures hindi lang dahil sa mga trabahong malilikha nito sa publishing industry at sa pagbubukas ng bagong negosyo kundi dahil sa transfer of technology at ang paglawak ng market para sa mga akdang Pinoy.

Dahil sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga advanced publisher ay nalilipat sa ating local publishers ang mga kaalaman pati na ang technology. Dito tayo lalago at magkakaroon ng lakas para makasali sa global stage.

Katuwang ng NBDB sa pagpapaunlad ng industriya ang FILCOLS. Para mas maging malalim at malusog ang iyong kaalaman, bisitahin ang websites namin: www.filcols.blogspot.com at www.nbdb.gov.ph.

Inaanyayahan ang mga awtor, publisher, o tagapagmana ng copyright na sumali sa FILCOLS. Ito’y para mabigyang proteksiyon ang kanilang mga akda. Kailangan lamang ay mayroon kayong published works kung kayo ay awtor/publisher o nasa inyo ang kapangyarihang magmanage kung heirs kayo ng awtor. Wala pong membership fee. Kung may tanong hinggil sa tinalakay na paksa, mag-email lamang sa filcols@gmail.com.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Updated List of Authors and Publishers Members of FILCOLS

Authors
1 Abad, Gemino H.
2 Abrahan, Gian Carlo C.
3 Abuan, Mariane Amor T.
4 Abueg, Efren R.
5 Acabado, Brian B.
6 Agapito, Josephine D.
7 Aguay, Jr., Bernardo O.
8 Aguilar, Erick D.
9 Agus, Editha L.
10 Alarde, Crispulo
11 Alcantara, Ruby G.
12 Alfabeto, Estrella D.
13 Alfabeto, Sedd D.
14 Almario, Virgilio S.
15 Almonte, Napoleon G.
16 Alsonado, Mercy T.
17 Alvarez, Crizzalyn
18 Amante, Louise Vincent B.
19 Ampatin, Estrella V.
20 Anima, Nid A.
21 Anlim, Jaime L.
22 Antonio, Teo T.
23 Añonuevo, Rebecca T.
24 Añonuevo, Roberto T.
25 Aradilla, Agripina R.
26 Arguelles, Mesandel V.
27 Arroyo, Rubie A.
28 Asuncion, Ruperta (heirs)
29 Atalia, Eros S.
30 Atilano, Ronald A.
31 Bacudio, Ana Maria A.
32 Balde, Abdon M. Jr.
33 Ballares, Lea D.
34 Baltazar, Gloria Jesusa D.
35 Baquiran, Romulo P.
36 Barbosa, Gina B.
37 Barcelona, Noel Sales
38 Barco, Nestor S.
39 Barro, Liana M.
40 Bautista, Lualhati T.
41 Bautista, Sherille Love V.
42 Bayron, Agapito Jr. M.
43 Beltran, Andy C.
44 Beltran, Maria Rona B.
45 Bengco, Grace P.
46 Bolasco, Karina A.
47 Bolo, Benjamin, Jr.
48 Boloron, Hazel Marie R.
49 Bonifacio, Amelia L.
50 Boquiren, Rommel Chester G.
51 Breva, Ofelia F.
52 Brillon, Cherish Aileen A.
53 Bron, Ligaya O.
54 Buenavista, Dave P.
55 Bufe, Aiza G.
56 Bugayong, Perla L.
57 Bumadilla, Sergio A.
58 Buncales, Emma O.
59 Bustamante, Marchiesal B.
60 Cabigon, Lordino G.
61 Cabote, Diana G.
62 Name withheld upon request
63 Camba, Moreal N.
64 Capili, Jose Wendell
65 Carcamo, Ronaldo L.
66 Carpio, Rustica C.
67 Casanova, Arthur
68 Catanyag, Teofilo M.
69 Chancoco, Jose Jason L.
70 Choon, James Teng
71 Cleto, Ma. Luna S.
72 Condino, Melrose R.
73 Constantino, Anna Veronica L.
74 Cordero, Kristian S.
75 Coroza, Michael M.
76 Cristobal, Jr., Adrian
77 Cristobal, Sr., Adrian E.
78 Cristobal, Celina S.
79 Crizaldo, Hazel Joy P.
80 Cruz, Isagani R.
81 Cruz, Jhoanna Lynn B.
82 Cutab, Leonil Fernando R.
83 Dabao, Vicente V.
84 Dalisay, Jose Jr. Y.
85 Damag, Ma. Emily S.
86 Daquiado, Nonilona P.
87 Dargantes, Alan P.
88 Dargantes, Sylvia Minda T.
89 Daydora, Jechris A
90 De Peralta, Honeylein C.
91 Dela Cruz, Ainne Frances F.
92 Dela Cruz, Mar Anthony S.
93 Dela Cruz, Rita T.
94 Delos Reyes, Joselito D.
95 De los Reyes, Dong A.
96 De Ungria, Ricardo
97 Derain, Allan Roberto N.
98 Diokno, Ferdinand
99 Dionado, Shara Rose Virgini O.
100 Dudang, Elnora B.
101 Dumlao, Emmanuel V.
102 Durado, Adonis G.
103 Ebuña, Raul M.
104 Edilo, Genaro Perfecto C.
105 Ediza, Marilou M.
106 Enrique, Delia C.
107 Estarija, Consolacion A.
108 Estrada, Virginia O.
109 Euldan, Cristopher N.
111 Evasco, Marjorie
112 Fajilan, Wennielyn F.
113 Fernandez, Erwin S.
114 Felicitas, Catalina L.
115 Ferma, Elena O.
116 Festin, Rowena P.
117 Flores, Jr., Angelito G.
118 Fonacier, Kristine
119 Fortun, Noel T.
120 Funilas, Raul
121 Galan, Gloria L.
122 Galan, Ralph S.
123 Galos, Reparado III B.
124 Garlitos, Raymund M.
125 Geminiano, Melody G.
126 Genova, Windsor John C.
127 Gimena, Glady E.
128 Go, Lolito R.
129 Gonzales, Danilo V.
130 Gracio, Jerry B.
131 Grajo, Jeanette P.
132 Grego, Frank
133 Gregorio, Maridol R.
134 Grutas, Sarah Jean B.
135 Guerrero, Amadis Ma.
136 Guevara, Nerisa
137 Hidalgo, Cristina Pantoja
138 Jocson, Schedar D.
139 Jurado III, Jose I.
140 Jurado, Linda A.
141 Kilates, Marne
142 Kimpo, Phillip Jr
143 Kintanar, Thelma B.
144 Labtog, Carl Michael Y.
145 Lacaba, Kris L.
146 Lagas, Fe J.
147 Lareza, Erwin
148 Lim, Ronald Jeffrey S.
149 Limocon, Angeline T.
150 Limpin, Vivian N.
151 Lumista, Hannah P.
152 Lumbera, Bienvenido
153 Lumbrera, Rosa S.
154 Maceda, Teresita G.
155 Madarang, Rhea Claire E.
156 Madrilejos, Alberto Manalon
157 Mantong, Fe H.
158 Marfil, Felisa Jyl C.
159 Masangkay, Frederick R.
160 Mateo, Marilag T.
161 Mellado, Love N.
162 Mendoza, Elenita C.
163 Miclat, Alma C.
164 Miclat, Mario I.
165 Mintu, Cynthia B.
166 Molde, Ma. Joverly S.
167 Molina, Russel L.
168 Montalban, Pia C.
169 Montemayor, Ma. Lebeña
170 Munsayac, Jose R.
171 Muyargas, Jose George E.
172 Na, James Teng Choon
173 Nallano, Teresita O.
174 Narreto, Oliver Michael C.
175 Naval, Jimmuel C.
176 Navarro, Leslie S.
177 Nierva, Victor Dennis T.
178 Nieto, Deborah Rosalind
179 Nuncio, Elizabeth Morales
180 Nuncio, Rhoderick
181 Ong, Charlson L.
182 Opiso, Jennifer G.
183 Orara, Ma. Ainyle Ephraimmee M.
184 Ordoñez, Elmer
185 Ordoñez, Rogelio L.
186 Panlilio, Erlinda E.
187 Parcero, Placido Jr. R.
189 Pasion-Flores, Andrea D.
190 Paterno, Maria Elena P.
191 Patindol, Jean Lee C.
192 Paulican, Ma. Stella M.
193 Payongayong, Joahnna Carla A.
194 Pena, Romeo P.
195 Perez, Edward
196 Petras, Jayson D.
197 Pichay, Nicolas B.
198 Pineda, Haidee
199 Pingol, Alicia
200 Queaño, Nonilon V.
201 Quilang, Crispin S.
202 Ramos, Windsor Roland M.
203 Razalo, Lucerne M.
204 Regacho, Corazon F.
205 Reyes, Pedro (Jun) C.
206 Rivera, Frank G.
207 Rodriguez, Mary Jane B.
208 Rodriguez, Rufus B.
209 Rojo, Sergio, Jr.
230 Salanga, Elyrah
231 Salud, Joel Pablo
232 Salvador, Francis Isidro
233 Salvador, Mary Anne Jimenez
234 Samaniego, Lorelie Gloria A.
235 Samar, Edgar C.
236 Sanchez, Louie Jon A.
237 Santillan, Renato Rosario
238 Santos, Benilda S.
239 Sarigumba, Cherilyn
240 Sebullen, Isabel D.
241 Sering, Tara F.T.
242 Silabay, Gladys G.
243 Sinamban, Evangeline B.
244 Sison, Lydia C.
245 Siy, Beverly W.
246 Socorro, Alexander J.
247 Soliven, Hazel E.
248 Suba, Sally C.
249 Sunico, Ramon C.
250 Supremo, Reinerio P.
251 Sy, Joaquin
252 Talle, Onnah Pierre P.
253 Tan, Debbie Ann L.
254 Tanauan, Ryan M.
255 Teodoro, John Iremil E.
256 Toledo, Joel M.
257 Tolentino, Delfin Jr. L.
258 Tolentino, Roland B.
259 Torralba, John Enrico C.
260 Torre, Ricky S.
261 Umil, Roberto O.
262 Uy-Regala, Betty C.
263 Valmorida, Jose S.
264 Verzo, Ronald V.
265 Villa, Lolita P.
266 Villafania, Santiago
267 Villanueva, Voltaire M.
268 Villasanta, Juanito V.
269 Villasis, Enrique S.
270 Virgo, Narciso A.
271 Yabes, Criselda D.
272 Yanilla-Aquino, Lalaine F.
273 Yumul, Aurora Veronica D.
274 Yuson, Alfred A.
275 Zafra, Galileo S.

Local and Foreign Publishers
1 A-Z Direct Marketing
2 Adarna House, Inc.
3 Ambitgoya Books Enterprises
4 Anvil Publishing
5 Ateneo Press
6 BC Educational, Inc.
7 Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.
8 C & E Publishing
9 Cacho Publishing House
10 Cambridge University Press
11 Central Books
12 Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc.
13 De La Salle University
14 Don Bosco Press Inc.
15 FELTA Multimedia
16 Ilaw ng Tahanan Publishing, Inc.
17 Lampara Publishing
18 National Book Store
19 New Day Publishers
20 Precious Pages
21 Shepherd's Voice Publications, Inc.
22 St. Mary's Publishing Corp.
23 Think and Print Publishing
24 UP Sentro ng Wikang Filipino
25 UST Press
26 Vibal Publishing

Book Industry Association
1 Book Development Association of the Philippines

Monday, August 22, 2011

Pinoy Freelance Writers’ First Organizational Meeting

The group of Filipino freelance writers tagged itself (temporarily as of August 2011) as the Freelance Writers of the Philippines (FWP). It held its first organizational meeting last 21 August 2011 at the 4F A-Z Building, 723 Sgt. Bumatay St., Plainview, Mandaluyong City.

Despite the heavy rain and unexpected flood in the area, the meeting was attended by more than sixty writers from the cities of Las Pinas, Makati, Marikina, Manila, Mandaluyong, Paranaque, Pasig and Quezon and the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Batangas, Pampanga and Davao.

The meeting started at 2: 30 p.m. The members of the FWP Steering Committee namely Dino Manrique, Jofti Villena, Rom Factolerin, Teena Estrada, and Lorna Israel introduced themselves and welcomed everyone.

It was followed by a short presentation from the Executive Director of Filipinas Copyright and Licensing Society, Inc. (FILCOLS), Mr. Alvin Buenaventura. He talked about the writer as a worker and copyright as human right.

Then, Imelda Morales, a writer since early 1990’s, delivered an introduction that narrated the background and objectives of the organization. A copy of the excerpt of Imelda Morales’ speech is posted below. The initiative to form an organization of Filipino freelance writers came from Ms. Morales. She consulted FILCOLS and a number of fellow freelance writers (through internet) and the initial meeting was held last 29 June 2011 at the Faculty Lounge, Faculty Center, UP Diliman, QC.

The second presentation came from Camille Dianne Mendoza of the National Book Development Board. She introduced the said government agency and its relationship with the writers, content-providers and the publishing industry. She also invited everyone to check their website (www.nbdb.gov.ph.) to get updates about the agency’s latest events for writers such as the application for Book-Writing Grants under the “Filipino Authors’ Trust Fund.”

Next was the presentation of the discussion paper written by Jofti Villena. It contained the various options that the body/audience can choose from. These options and suggestions came from the members of the freelance writers Facebook Group. They were narrowed down by the Steering Committee for the organizational meeting.

The discussion paper included the vision, mission and purpose of the group. Ms. Villena also presented the definitions of freelance writer so that everybody can have a say on the qualification of the future members. She enumerated different kinds of organizations and their structures to solicit response from the audience on what is best suited for the group. She showed everyone the proposed names for the organization. Details about the membership of the core group/steering committee were also discussed. She invited those who are interested to join the core group/steering committee. The discussion paper also contained some issues and concerns that were aired by freelance writers through the FB group, a list of the future committees and websites for reference in improving their craft.

(If you wish to have a copy of the discussion paper, please contact Ms. Jofti Villena. She has a Facebook account.)

While the discussion paper was being presented, there were some writers who pushed for the open forum part of the program.

These were some of the highlights during the discussion/open forum:

1. The group needs to determine the differences among:
- single proprietorship
- cooperative (through the Cooperative Development Authority)
- corporation
and find out which would be the best fit for our group.

2. It was suggested that FWP should be networking with the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) (?) or companies and organizations that give writers income and livelihood.

3. Comment: Our name should be neutral. "Union" has negative connotations and may rub people off the wrong way.

4. A participant said that setting a standard may be too idealistic. Filipinos are known to be independent, he said, and this is a sure fire "seed for implosion." In coming up with rates, we need to use unit metrics per output. FWP can possibly come up with a Code of Ethics.

5. Another suggestion: FWP needs to set realistic goals, what we can begin. The keyword is "initiate". We need to begin the engagement and do it consistently.

6. Comment: Writers are treated as the ultimate doormat, ignored and sidetracked. FWP's legacy can be to help make clients treat writers fairly and as business partners.

7. Comment: It would be good if FWP can help writers take advantage of tax privileges. Note: BIR treats writers as professionals, even freelance writers. So they need to pay 10% tax.

8. Comment: Another area where FWP can help freelance writers - give writers information on taxes, how to file and where, etc. It would also be good if the organization can get a ruling that states that professional writers are not paid as high as singers, dancers, artists, etc., and should therefore be taxed lower than other freelancers.

9. Comment: An entertainment writer spoke up to thank FWP for welcoming writers from the entertainment industry.

The next part was the listing of the steps that will be taken by the group such as:

- Look into Professional Regulation Commission rulings
- Invite accounting/taxation professionals to a meeting/dialogue
- Clarify: Are we considered "professionals" both legally and with regards to taxation
- Standards: Explore having "levels" for writer members (can be based on skills, number of years writing professionally, etc.) There could also be an incentive for writers to do something to upgrade one's skills in writing.
- Stay with the name FWP for now.
- Create interim or priority committees: Legal, Education, Media and Website, Registration, and Membership
- Define the term "freelance writer"

The last part of the meeting was the breakout session per committee. After meryenda, the writers got to choose their own committee. Some went to Membership, some went to the Media and Website and other committees. Everyone went home with the date of the meeting of his/her own committee.

The first organizational meeting of Pinoy freelance writers was made possible through the support of FILCOLS and A-Z Direct Marketing. FILCOLS is funded by NORCODE, Kopinor and IFRRO.


Here is the copy of the excerpt from the introduction by Ime Morales.

"At this point I would like to state my most urgent wishes for this organization and for all of us, would-be members of this group.

First, for freelance writers to be treated with the respect that they deserve and considered not as a supplier but as a true partner by their clients.

Second, for freelance writers to receive fair and prompt compensation for their hard work so they can live with dignity and be able to support themselves and their dependents. I don’t understand the absurd gap between local rates and rates in other countries. I don’t understand why expat writers are being paid higher fees in dollars while Pinoy writers who are sometimes even more skilled than their foreign counterparts have to scrape the bottom of the proverbial barrel in terms of assignments and even actual wages. I don’t understand why rates have stagnated at the same level as from 10, 15 years ago when I started writing professionally. And this, while companies continued to expand and glossies continued to grow thicker with advertisements, and generally reap all the rewards of the writers’ wit and hard work.

Third, for this organization to serve as the freelance writer’s voice that will, hopefully, resonate and call the attention of all the sectors involved in our work: the publishers, the editors, the clients. The organization will seek to champion the rights and the welfare of Filipino freelance writers.

Fourth, for the members of this organization to continue to improve their skills (writing, interviewing, research, editing, collecting skills, etcetera) and to show their professionalism, ethics, responsibility, truthfulness and humanity in every piece that they will come out with. I believe it’s high time that we don’t simply accept projects for economic reasons. I think we should start showing more discretion and start consulting our conscience and not just our bank accounts before we accept a writing project.

And finally, for our clients who give us income, I sincerely hope that this organization will also give them the opportunity to connect and build mutually beneficial relationships with some of the best freelance writers in the industry today. This group is also for them. Clients can also come to us with complaints about erring members. What we are trying to do here will eventually benefit not only the writers but also the institutions they are working with. Clients will get what they pay for."

Copyright of the article belongs to Beverly W. Siy of FILCOLS. You may repost or publish this anywhere anytime (for free!) as long as you get a written permission from the author (filcols@gmail.com). Copyright of the excerpt of Imelda Morales’ speech belongs to Ms. Morales. Contact her if you wish to repost the excerpt. She has an FB account.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

NBDB's Booklatan Features FILCOLS Talk on Copyright









National Book Development Board (NBDB) in partnership with Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School (AAQES) held Booklatan sa Quezon City, a training program for teachers, last August 13, 19 and 20, 2011 at the AAQES Library, Cordillera St., Quezon City.

On the third day of the event, Alvin J. Buenaventura, the executive director of FILCOLS, delivered a talk on introduction to copyright and intellectual property. Beverly W. Siy, FILCOLS executive officer and also a published author, shared her experiences in producing literary works as an individual and as a group. FILCOLS encouraged everyone to write and produce their own materials for students and to continue respecting other people's copyright.

More than sixty teachers and education students from AAQES, P. Tuason Elementary School, Goodwill Elementary School and National Teachers College benefitted from the Booklatan sa Quezon City project.

The first day was graced by Ms. Mary Melody Remorca, the expert in the art of storytelling. She shared effective storytelling strategies. On the second day, the participants listened to Dr. Michael Coroza as he gave a lecture on the introduction to Philippine poetry. He also shared some tips in poetry appreciation.

On the third day and the last part of the conference, evaluation and summary of the event were presented by Rommel Bautista, Math teacher of AAQES.

School Principal Dr. Amelia S. Ablen presented certificates of appreciation to NBDB and FILCOLS. All of the participants were given certificate of attendance.

Copyright of the photos belong to FILCOLS. Copyright of this article belongs to Beverly W. Siy. You may repost anytime anywhere (for free) as long as you get the written permission of the copyright owner. Email filcols@gmail.com.

Friday, August 19, 2011

FILCOLS at CHED's NCR Quality Assurance Team Orientation Meeting


Beverly W. Siy of FILCOLS made a short presentation at the Commission on Higher Education's National Capital Region Quality Assessment Team Orientation Meeting held last 18 August 2011 at the 2/F Studio Theater, HR Building, Central Colleges of the Philippines (Main Campus), 52 Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City from 1:00-5:00 p.m.

The meeting was graced by more than a hundred experts/educators from various fields and disciplines such as Engineering and Technology, Accountancy, Religious Education, Public/Office/Customs Administration, Information Technology Education, Teacher Education, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Tourism, Health, Maritime Education, Legal Education, Criminology, Management Related Programs, Humanities, Social Sciences, Communications and Science and Math.

Welcome remarks was delivered by Atty. Crispino P. Reyes, the president of Central Colleges of the Philippines. Participants were introduced by Dr. Sonia dela Cruz, Education Supervisor II of CHED. The statement of purpose was presented by Dr. Catherine Q. Castaneda, Director IV of CHED-NCR. Engr. Haydee C. Farrol explained the RQAT Evaluation Procedure. She is the Supervising Education Program Specialist of CHED. Dr. Remedios S. Ching, a member of RQA Team for Hotel and Restaurant Management, shared her experiences in the conduct of evaluation.

Beverly Siy delivered a short talk about quality education, copyright and intellectual property. Her talk was sort of a reminder for the members of the team on what to look out for when inspecting the educational materials that are being used by the institutions, the libraries and other facilities that are connected to intellectual property. She also enumerated the things that should be done so the educational institutions would be and would stay compliant when it comes to copyright laws and intellectual property laws of the Philippines.

After Ms. Siy, an open forum followed. While having merienda, the participants shared the issues and challenges they have encountered in performing their tasks. It was headed by Dr. Catherine Castaneda, Director IV of CHED. The forum was moderated by Ms. Liza Libertine Magana, CHED's Education Supervisor II.

Closing remarks was given by Dr. Lilian Enriquez, Chief Education Program Specialist of CHED.


Below is the copy of Ms. Siy's talk:

I am very honored to be here. I am Beverly W. Siy, Executive Officer of Filipinas Copyright Licensing Society, an organization of Filipino authors and publishers who fight for their rights as copyright owners. I was tasked by the FILCOLS Chair Dr. Isagani R. Cruz to present in this meeting.

We strongly encourage you to report to FILCOLS schools that violate the intellectual property laws.

IP law violators…

1. Have books in their libraries that are pirated versions of the original copies, book alikes or books in photocopied forms. Do not just count the number of the books. Marami ngang kopya, puro pirated naman. It is against the law.

IP law violators…

2. Do not pay anything to the copyright owners even if copyrighted materials are photocopied for classroom use. Example of this is the course packs usually recommended or compiled by the professors themselves.

Walang patumanggang photocopying. Walang patumanggang paggamit sa IP ng authors. And yet, authors don’t get anything. Namamatay nang mahirap ang mga manunulat. FILCOLS recommends ten centavos per page. Will these hurt the schools? The students? FILCOLS doesn’t think so. But this can mean a lot for our authors.

IP law violators…

3. Have pirated software installed in the computer system.

Operating systems na peke. Some schools even hire experts in software so that they can avoid buying the original products.

These are examples of dishonesty and thievery of intellectual property. Sad to say, pagnanakaw po. Magnanakaw po ang mga ganitong paaralan. At dapat lang silang parusahan accordingly.

FILCOLS recommends that:

1. QAT must check if educational institutions have their own IP policy. This policy will serve as a guide in settling disputes about ownership of copyright. It will help protect the products and copyrighted materials the research students and professors produce.

2. QAT must check if educational institutions have and support a student organization that will advocate respect for intellectual property and copyright. This will ensure that IP awareness in the campus will be kept mighty high.

3. QAT must check if educational institutions have signed up licensing agreement with FILCOLS to secure permit to photocopy a certain percentage of local and foreign copyrighted materials.

CHED, as the leading government agency for tertiary education, is pushing the frontiers of knowledge with materials that are not just culture-bound and progressive but also, and most importantly, legal. In 2008, it has signed a MOA with IPOPHL about respect for IP and copyright. Atty. Mark Robert Dy, a creative industry lawyer from IPOPHL, is with us today to answer your queries about IP laws, policy and more.

FILCOLS can provide you with support when it comes to awareness campaign and enforcement. FILCOLS conducts seminars and IP/copyright activities (IP Made E-Z which became popular as IP in the Age of Jejemon) all over the Philippines. In fact, on Sept 13, you are all invited to attend a seminar called Copyright: Empowering the Research University at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia. FILCOLS is a member of Anti-Book Piracy Coalition as well.

Legal culture must continue to boom and bloom. Most especially in the HEIs, the cradle of original ideas.

So check, check, check!
And monitor closely.

Through respect for IP and copyright, our academic research, writing and the tertiary education will continue to be world class. Truly madly deeply world class. And that is what both of us want. Truly madly deeply want.

Daghang salamat po.

Copyright of the short talk belongs to Beverly W. Siy. You are free to repost or publish this piece anytime anywhere as long as you are given written permission by the copyright owner. Email filcols@gmail.com.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Buhay na Titik: Pagsali ng mga Pinoy sa International Book Fairs

ni Alvin J. Buenaventura ng FILCOLS

 
Pagsali ng mga Pinoy sa International Book Fairs
 

Para lumago ang industriya ng paglilimbag ng libro, isa sa mga incentive na ibinibigay ng gobyerno sa mga author at publisher ay ang suporta para makasali ang mga ito sa international book fairs.

Papaanong lalago ang book publishing industry kung lalabas ng bansa ang mga publisher at author? Talaga bang kailangan ito? O lakwatsa lang naman talaga ang habol nila?

Isa sa mga paraan para matuto ang tao ay sa pamamagitan ng contact sa ibang tao. Tayo ay social creatures at kailangan nating makisalamuha sa iba para mas maging matalas ang ating isip. Dahil din sa pakikisalamuha ay nagkakaroon tayo ng mga bagong insight o bagong idea na makakatulong sa iba’t ibang parte ng ating buhay.

Ang contact sa ibang kultura ang siyang nagpapayaman sa mga sangkot sa contact. Halimbawa, ang kultura ng mga Pinoy ay naging matingkad dahil sa ating contact sa ibang bansa tulad ng Spain. At ang Spain naman ay may malawak na contact mula sa Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire, at iba pang sibilisasyon sa Mediterranean sea at Europe. May contact din tayo sa China, Indonesia, Thailand, at Japan.

Pero masasabi ring naging maganda ang kultura ng mga nasabing bansa dahil sa pakikisalamuha nila sa ating mga Pinoy. Ang mapayapang EDSA People Power ay naging inspirasyon para sa mga kilos-protesta sa Thailand. Na-export natin sa kanila ang peaceful mass protest.

Ang mga seryosong Hapon naman ay pinasaya ng Pinoy entertainers. Ang iba sa kanila ay nag-asawa ng mga Pinay. Malakas na impluwensiya ang mga Pinoy sa kanilang lipunan. At marami ring Japanese couples na dito sa atin nag-retiro dahil naakit sa ating magandang kultura.

Ganito rin ang nangyayari sa partisipasyon ng mga Pinoy author at publisher sa mga international event tulad ng mga book fair at literary festival.

Nakikilala ng mga foreigner ang mga akda sa Filipinas. At ang atin namang mga author at publisher ay nagkakaroon ng contact na nagpapayaman sa kanilang karanasan, nagbibigay ng bagong business model, gumigising sa bagong idea, at bumubuo ng mga bagong network.

Kapag pinagsama-sama ang mga ito ay nagdudulot ito ng bagong sigla sa ating book publishing industry. Siyempre kapag may bagong business model, may dahilan para makapagpalago ng negosyo, na dahilan para makapagbukas ng pinto para sa ating mga kababayang naghahanap ng trabaho. At ang trabaho ang siyang solusyon sa kahirapan.

Katuwang ng NBDB sa pagpapaunlad ng industriya ang FILCOLS. Para mas maging malalim at malusog ang iyong kaalaman, bisitahin ang websites namin: www.filcols.blogspot.com at www.nbdb.gov.ph.

Inaanyayahan ang mga awtor, publisher, o tagapagmana ng copyright na sumali sa FILCOLS. Ito’y para mabigyang proteksiyon ang kanilang mga akda. Kailangan lamang ay mayroon kayong published works kung kayo ay awtor/publisher o nasa inyo ang kapangyarihang magmanage kung heirs kayo ng awtor. Wala pong membership fee. Kung may tanong hinggil sa tinalakay na paksa, mag-email lamang sa filcols@gmail.com.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

FILCOLS Huntahan sa Baguio, 26 August 2011

Writers are invited to attend FILCOLS Huntahan sa Baguio at the Sarmiento Hall, Student-Alumni Center, UP, Baguio City on 26 August 2011, 1:30 p.m. onwards.

FILCOLS Huntahan sa Diliman is an informal discussion on writing, publishing, intellectual property and copyright.

Please join FILCOLS, Mt. Cloud Bookshop Admin. team and Literati of UP Baguio for this important event, as we work together to address challenges in the industry and to promote writers’ rights in the country.

There is no registration fee and FILCOLS Huntahan sa Baguio is open to all writers who are interested.

If you wish to know more about the event, please email padma@mtcloudbookshop.com.

FILCOLS Huntahan sa Baguio is made possible through the cooperation of Mt. Cloud Bookshop operated by Ms. Padmapani Perez, Literati of UP Baguio, Atty. Mark Robert Dy of IPOPHL, the Norwegian Copyright Development Association (NORCODE) and KOPINOR.


FILCOLS Huntahan sessions were previously held in Mandaluyong, Cavite, Naga, Pangasinan, Bukidnon, and Quezon City. FILCOLS receives support from NORCODE and KOPINOR. NORCODE is an international copyright development group organized and funded by five copyright societies namely KOPINOR, GRAMO, TONO, BONO and NORWACO. KOPINOR is the reproduction rights (RRO) of Norway while FILCOLS is the RRO of the Philippines.

Anyone can repost this without seeking the permission of FILCOLS/author. Thank you.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Copyright: For Authors

4 August 2011

The Living Letter by Alvin Buenaventura of FILCOLS
Translated from Filipino by Beverly W. Siy

Writers and creators are also called authors. Authors of poetry, short story, novel, scientific article, sermon, news article, song, musical composition and many more have rights over their creations. The same goes with architect, painter, visual artist, computer programmer, film maker and other kinds of authors of scientific, literary and artistic production.

The protection that is being given by the law and government to these authors is called Copyright. It’s a bundle of rights given to the authors as long as they are alive plus another fifty years starting from the first day of their death. They are all protected: the creations and the authors.

Copyright is made up of moral and material rights.

Moral rights are the rights of an author to be recognized as the creator of a work. His/her name must be in the byline. The author has the right to allow or not to allow any changes in his/her original work.

Material rights are the rights of an author to earn or receive royalty from his/her creation.

What is an example of economic rights of an author? How can they earn more from their creations?

The first one is the reproduction right or the right of an author to allow the publisher or anyone to make copies of his/her creation.

For example, you wrote the love story of your father-in-law and turned it into a romance novel. The novel must be permanent or fixed in one place, either in your computer or in paper. This will be a big help in the process of publishing the ultimate romance novel of all time (according to your father-in-law, okay?).

Naturally, your first customer will be your father-in-law because he would want to give away copies of the novel to his friends who play poker all day. From this day forward, you will start earning as a novelist because you will receive royalty worth 10-15% of the net price of each novel sold (or bought by the most eager customer in the world.)

You will earn much much more as a novelist if your work will be chosen for dramatization like a stage play or a telenobela and many more. You will earn again if the work will be chosen for translation in Korean or Japanese language. You must be paid (yes, again) if your work is translated into another language.

In the movie industry, the producer, the director and many more earn or receive payment when their movie is shown in the cinema. They earn or receive another payment if copies of the movie is rented out in authorized rental shops. Even if the movie is not shown in the malls anymore, the producer, the director and the likes should still be earning because there is more than one copy of the movie. The more number of copies of the movie, the more chances of earning (for the copyright owners).

In the visual arts, the artist earns or receives payment if a patron buys his/her artwork. He/she can still earn if his/her work was chosen to be displayed in museums or exhibition halls or a printed copy of the work was included in publications.

In the music industry, musicians and singers earn from the sales of their CDs or from every download (of the patron in the internet). They also earn or receive payment if their works are played in a concert or other commercial establishments like restaurants.

So if you want to earn big time, you don’t stop with your father-in-law’s love story. You must continue. For the sake of art. Compose a song about him. You will never know but the song may top the billboard charts someday. Make a marble sculpture with his face as the subject. You will never know but his marble face might just get featured in the Louvre Museum of Paris.

Not bad, huh?

Authors, publishers or heirs of copyright owners are invited to join FILCOLS. We will help you protect your copyright over your works. To join, one only needs to have published works, or one must be the heirs of an author or has the right to manage the rights of an author. Membership is free. If you have queries, email us at filcols@gmail.com.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Buhay na Titik: National Book Policy - Pagpapalaganap ng mga Akdang Gawa ng Filipino

ni Alvin J. Buenaventura ng FILCOLS


National Book Policy - Pagpapalaganap ng mga Akdang Gawa ng Filipino
  

Ayon sa RA 8047, ang National Book Policy ay “statement of the intention and philosophy of the State as a basis for the formulation and implementation of measures for the development, production, and distribution of books.”

Mahabang konsultasyon ang ginawa ng National Book Development Board para mabuo ang National Book Policy. Nagpunta sila sa mga rehiyon, nakipag-usap sa mga author, publisher, librarian, professor, journalist, at iba pang stakeholder ng industriya.

Sa bisa ng Executive Order No. 119 na ipinalabas ni Pres. Estrada noong July 4, 1999, pinagtibay at kinilala ang National Book Policy na opisyal na policy ng bansa pagdating sa book publishing industry.

Ano ang unang statement dito?

Dapat lumikha ang gobyerno ng pinakamagandang kondisyon para maipalaganap ang mga akdang Filipino. Kailangang gumawa ng mga bagong activity para mapalago ang industriya.

Hindi puwedeng puro seminars at talks na lang dahil magsasawa na rin ang mga participant.

Nakasaad din na dapat ay maka-develop ng mga bagong author na tututok sa pagsusulat ng mga paksang tulad ng local histories kung saan kakaunti lamang ang published materials. Kailangan ding ma-upgrade ang kakayahan ng mga author. Para magawa ito ay inatasan ang NBDB na manguna sa pagbuo ng partnerships sa iba’t ibang institusyon tulad ng DepEd, CHED, at mga stakeholder sa book publishing.

Dapat na maparami ang mga libro sa Filipino literature, heritage, at creative arts sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay-suporta sa mga nais magsulat o gumawa ng libro.

Dapat na suportahan ang paglilimbag ng mga libro sa English at mga lengguwahe sa bansa.

Dapat na maparami ang Filipino authorship ng mga librong scientific at technical. Pati na rin ang pagsasalin sa mga lengguwahe sa bansa ng mga foreign-authored books.

Para lalong maparami ang akda mula sa mga rehiyon, dapat na may registration system at database ng mga manuscript na local at foreign. Kahit na “manuscripts” ang salitang ginamit sa halip sa finished works, malinaw na published books ang ibig sabihin dahil wala namang foreigner ang maglalabas ng manuscripts.

Dapat na magkaroon ng training ng mga author at students para makapagsulat sila ng mga akdang may local character at experience. Magagawa ito sa pamamagitan ng pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga university sa mga rehiyon.

Dapat na bigyang-proteksiyon ang IP ng mga author at publisher sa pamamagitan ng collective reprography licensing. Dahil dito ay binuo ang FILCOLS.

Dapat na bigyang-pagkilala ang mga tao o organisasyon na tumulong sa pagpapaunlad ng industriya. Puwedeng maggawad ng pagkilala sa pamamagitan ng awards, prizes, at iba pang uri ng pagkilala.

Dapat na makapaghanap ng pondo para sa mga author at iba pang personnel ng industriya. Dahil dito ay isinulong ng NBDB ang pagpasa ng batas RA 9521 o ang National Book Development Trust Fund.

Dapat na maengganyo ang mga author na magbuo ng mga asosasyon na makakatulong sa pagbibigay sa kanila ng proteksiyon at sa pag-usbong ng mga bagong gawa.

Katuwang ng NBDB sa pagpapaunlad ng industriya ang FILCOLS. Para sa dagdag na kaalaman, bisitahin ang mga website: www.filcols.blogspot.com at www.nbdb.gov.ph.

Inaanyayahan ang mga awtor, publisher, o tagapagmana ng copyright na sumali sa FILCOLS. Ito’y para mabigyang proteksiyon ang kanilang mga akda. Kailangan lamang ay mayroon kayong published works kung kayo ay awtor/publisher o nasa inyo ang kapangyarihang magmanage kung heirs kayo ng awtor. Wala pong membership fee. Kung may tanong hinggil sa tinalakay na paksa, mag-email lamang sa filcols@gmail.com.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

IP Made E-Z in Miriam College

Filipinas Copyright Licensing Society's (FILCOLS) IP Made E-Z will be held at the Viewing Room, Library Media Center, Miriam College, Katipunan Ave., Loyola Heights, Quezon City on 6 September 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

IP Made E-Z is a three-hour forum for college students. Intellectual property, copyright, writing, publishing and the Philippine economy will be discussed. FILCOLS Executive Director Alvin J. Buenaventura and author Karen Francisco will talk in Filipino language to introduce concepts in authorship, creativity, and copyright. Francisco's novel "Naermyth" was published by Visprint Publishing which publishes Bob Ong's books.

IP Made E-Z aims to raise the students’ awareness on IP and copyright and to help them gain more knowledge about what they can do for the country through respect for IP. The first lectures were held in University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Naga University and Global City Innovative College in Taguig.

FILCOLS’ IP made E-Z, formerly named IP in the Age of Jejemon, is organized in coordination with FILCOLS author/member Prof. Ma. Rebecca Añonuevo-Cuñada, Chair of the Filipino Department, Prof. J. Alagaran, Chair of the English Department, both of Miriam College, Visprint Publishing through Nida Ramirez-Gatuz and Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines through its Director General Atty. Ricardo Blancaflor and Atty. Louie Andrew Calvario.


FILCOLS receives support from the Norwegian Copyright Development Association (NORCODE) and Kopinor. NORCODE is an international copyright development group funded by five copyright societies namely KOPINOR, GRAMO, TONO, BONO and NORWACO. KOPINOR is the reproduction rights (RRO) of Norway while FILCOLS is the RRO of the Philippines.

FILCOLS encourage the heads of the universities and colleges to hold similar events in their respective campuses. The activity will help develop more responsible members of the academe, students, professors, scholars and writers.

FILCOLS is open to invitations and proposals in and outside of Metro Manila. Send queries to filcols@gmail.com. FILCOLS launched the IP Made E-Z at the Old Gym, De La Salle Lipa, Lipa City, Batangas last 24 June 2011. Over 250 college students were in attendance.

Written by Beverly Siy. You are welcome to repost or include this in any publication provided that the writer/copyright owner gets credit. Thank you.

IP Made E-Z in UE Caloocan

Filipinas Copyright Licensing Society's (FILCOLS) IP Made E-Z will be held at the Multipurpose Hall 1, 3F Engineering Building, University of the East, Samson Road, Caloocan City on 24 August 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

IP Made E-Z is a three-hour forum for college students. Intellectual property, copyright, writing, publishing and the Philippine economy will be discussed. The speakers Alvin J. Buenaventura, Executive Director of FILCOLS and a writer from Visprint Publishing, the publisher of Bob Ong books, will talk in Filipino language to introduce concepts in authorship, creativity and copyright.

IP Made E-Z aims to raise the students’ awareness on IP and copyright and to help them gain more knowledge about what they can do for the country through respect for IP. The first lectures were held in University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Naga University and Global City Innovative College in Taguig.

FILCOLS’ IP made E-Z, formerly named IP in the Age of Jejemon, is organized in coordination with FILCOLS author/member Diana Cabote, professor from UE Caloocan, Visprint Publishing through Nida Ramirez-Gatuz and Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines through its Director General Atty. Ricardo Blancaflor and Atty. Louie Andrew Calvario.


FILCOLS receives support from the Norwegian Copyright Development Association (NORCODE) and Kopinor. NORCODE is an international copyright development group funded by five copyright societies namely KOPINOR, GRAMO, TONO, BONO and NORWACO. KOPINOR is the reproduction rights (RRO) of Norway while FILCOLS is the RRO of the Philippines.

FILCOLS encourage the heads of the universities and colleges to hold similar events in their respective campuses. The activity will help develop more responsible members of the academe, students, professors, scholars and writers.

FILCOLS is open to invitations and proposals in and outside of Metro Manila. Send queries to filcols@gmail.com. FILCOLS launched the IP Made E-Z at the Old Gym, De La Salle Lipa, Lipa City, Batangas last 24 June 2011. Over 250 college students were in attendance.

Written by Beverly Siy. You are welcome to repost or include this in any publication provided that the writer/copyright owner gets credit. Thank you.

FILCOLS IP Made E-Z Goes to FEU




Filipinas Copyright Licensing Society's (FILCOLS) IP Made E-Z will be held at the University Conference Center, G/F Institute of Arts and Sciences Building, Far Eastern University, Manila on 17 August 2011 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.

A meeting with Mr. Martin Lopez, Executive Director of Office of the President's Committee on Culture, Ethel Ampatin (of the same office), Mr. Joeven Castro, Associate Professor from the Communications Department and Head of the Research Cluster, FILCOLS' Alvin J. Buenaventura and Beverly Siy, the Executive Director and Executive Officer respectively, was held last 29 June 2011 at the office of Mr. Lopez. Objectives and details of the event were discussed.

FILCOLS’ IP made E-Z, formerly named IP in the Age of Jejemon, is organized in coordination with Visprint Publishing through Nida Ramirez-Gatuz and Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines through its Director General Atty. Ricardo Blancaflor and Atty. Louie Andrew Calvario.

IP Made E-Z aims to raise the students’ awareness on IP and copyright and to help them gain more knowledge about what they can do for the country through respect for IP. The first lectures were held in University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Naga University and Global City Innovative College in Taguig.

FILCOLS receives support from the Norwegian Copyright Development Association (NORCODE) and Kopinor. NORCODE is an international copyright development group funded by five copyright societies namely KOPINOR, GRAMO, TONO, BONO and NORWACO. KOPINOR is the reproduction rights (RRO) of Norway while FILCOLS is the RRO of the Philippines.

FILCOLS encourage the heads of the universities and colleges to hold similar events in their respective campuses. The activity will help develop more responsible members of the academe, students, professors, scholars and writers.

FILCOLS is open to invitations and proposals in and outside of Metro Manila. Send queries to filcols@gmail.com. FILCOLS launched the IP Made E-Z at the Old Gym, De La Salle Lipa, Lipa City, Batangas last 24 June 2011. Over 250 college students were in attendance.

Written by Beverly Siy. You are welcome to repost or include this in any publication provided that the writer/copyright owner gets credit. Thank you.

FILCOLS IP Made E-Z Launched at the De La Salle Lipa



FILCOLS launched the IP Made E-Z at the Old Gym, De La Salle Lipa, Lipa City, Batangas last 24 June 2011.

More than two hundred fifty individuals graced the event. Some were De La Salle Lipa faculty. Most were students coming from Legal Management, AB Communication and AB Communication Multimedia Arts courses. Writers from DLSL’s elementary, high school and collegiate levels also attended.

The event started with the National Anthem and a prayer.

Then Professor Emily T. Babasa, the Director of Culture, formally welcomed everyone to the event. The crowd cheered when Professor Babasa pointed out the characteristic of Jejemon language as she related it to the topic of the event. She was pertaining to the former title of the FILCOLS-initiated educational activity for the students.

She was followed by Professor Crecee Dimayuga Roldan, Cultural Officer of the Sports and Culture Directoriate, who gave her welcome remarks as well. Then she introduced Alvin Buenaventura, the resource speaker.

Alvin Buenaventura, the executive director of FILCOLS, talked about the basics of intellectual property and copyright. He also explained the connection of IP to the Philippine economics, education and academic publishing.

He tackled everything in conversational Filipino to make intellectual property concepts and issues less agonizing and intimidating for the Filipino students. He inserted some anecdotes and jokes to generate more interest from the audience which in turn had fun listening to even the most difficult concepts in Intellectual Property.

After his talk, Buenaventura introduced Alan Navarra, an artist and a writer from the Visprint Publishing. He presented writing and visual arts from the point of view of the creator. He also talked about having the courage to come up with avant-garde ideas especially in creative writing. He then talked about his creation, the book Girl Trouble which introduced a new way of narrating a guy’s experience of a break up. He also encouraged the students to start writing and creating now.

After Navarra’s visual arts-filled presentation, Prof. Roldan awarded him a certificate of appreciation and another certificate to FILCOL’s Buenaventura for sharing their time, talent and knowledge to the DLSL’s students. They came all the way from Manila despite the strong winds and rain brought by typhoon Falcon.

After the awarding, question and answer portion followed.

Kienle Jaurigue asked if a restaurant owner wants to offer “unlirice” (a coined word from unlimited serving of rice) to his/her customers, does he have to ask for permission from the restaurant that first used it. Buenaventura said that as long as “unlirice” is not registered as a trademark, anyone is free to use it. “Unlirice” is a concept and concepts are not copyrightable.

Jun Dio asked if his poetry and very short essays become the property of Facebook administration once he post them on his FB wall. Buenaventura advised that he check the Users Licensing Agreement (ULA) of Facebook. If it says that anything posted on Facebook (wall or account or anything at all) will be the property of Facebook administration and the user agreed to it by checking the box beside the ULA, it means he/she already assigned the copyright of the works to FB.

Professor Myrna de Castro asked a question related to the one about Facebook. She shared that she and some students made a video then posted it on youtube site. She wanted to know if the youtube administration already owns the copyright. Buenaventura said yes. Once a person posts anything on youtube.com and agrees on ULA, he/she is surrendering the rights over the works.

Vernadette Estole who was wearing a shirt that says Loyal, Just, Legal (referring to the legal management students like her) said that photocopying the whole book is considered as unloyal, unjust and therefore unlegal. It earned her cheers from her colleagues.

Catherine Perez inquired about the penalties if one is found guilty of violating the IP Code of the Philippines. Buenaventura named: cancellation of patents, cease and desist orders, fines or penalties in the form of money and imprisonment among others.

Jerick Ilagan asked if he wants to translate a song, should he pay for the copyright of the song. Buenaventura replied if the song is not yet under the public domain, he must ask for permission to translate from the original writer or composer of the song. He/she will pay if the copyright owner asks for payment. Buenaventura added if the translation of the song takes the form of a parody, it is okay. The translator doesn’t need to ask for permission from the copyright owner.

Elijah Molate asked Navarra how to generate unique ideas for writing. Navarra answered that going for the scariest thought of yours usually does the job. The magic resides in fear.

A female grade school student threw in the last question. She asked Navarra about his feelings of being an artist and a writer at the same time. Navarra shared that it was a mixture of happiness and dread. He is happy but scared.

There were not enough time to tackle all of the questions from the audience. Buenaventura invited everyone to send queries to FILCOLS through email.

Then, Beverly Siy, Executive Officer of FILCOLS, acknowledged the individuals and the offices that made the event possible: DLSL's Emily T. Babasa, Culture Director, and Prof. Crecee Dimayuga Roldan who did the coordination and event planning.

FILCOLS’ IP made E-Z, formerly named IP in the Age of Jejemon, is organized in coordination with Visprint Publishing through Nida Ramirez-Gatuz and Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines through its Director General Atty. Ricardo Blancaflor and Atty. Louie Andrew Calvario.

IP Made E-Z aims to raise the students’ awareness on IP and copyright and to help them gain more knowledge about what they can do for the country through respect for IP. The first lectures were held in University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Naga University and Global City Innovative College in Taguig.

FILCOLS receives support from the Norwegian Copyright Development Association (NORCODE) and Kopinor. NORCODE is an international copyright development group funded by five copyright societies namely KOPINOR, GRAMO, TONO, BONO and NORWACO. KOPINOR is the reproduction rights (RRO) of Norway while FILCOLS is the RRO of the Philippines.

FILCOLS encourage the heads of the universities and colleges to hold similar events in their respective campuses. The activity will help develop more responsible members of the academe, students, professors, scholars and writers.

FILCOLS is open to invitations and proposals in and outside of Metro Manila. Send queries to filcols@gmail.com.

Written by Beverly Siy. You are welcome to repost or include this in any publication provided that the writer/copyright owner gets credit. Photos are from Ms. Crecee Roldan. Posted here with permission.

Monday, August 1, 2011

FILCOLS Publisher/Member DLSU APO Launches Ang Pantas

DLSU [APO] Book Launch of "Ang Pantas" by Ruth Elynia Mabanglo

Academic Publications Office
(632) 524-4611 Ext. 271
joanne.castanares@dlsu.edu.ph



Ang
De La Salle University, Academic Publications Office
at ang
C & E Publishing, Inc.

ay malugod kayong inaanyayahan
sa paglulunsad ng



ANG PANTAS
(The Prophet) ni Khalil Gibran



Salin sa Filipino ni
RUTH ELYNIA MABANGLO

Ilustrasyon ni
EDGAR TALUSAN FERNANDEZ



Miyerkules, Agosto 3, 2011, 3:00 ng hapon
C & E’s Information and Resource Center (IRC)
1616 Quezon Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City




You may check the links for more details:



RSVP:
Joanne Castanares (local 271)
Mherla Fabillar (0923-4550215)



To reserve for transportation, please contact Joanne or JM at loc.271
or send e-mail joanne.castanares@dlsu.edu.ph



You may check the links below for more details:

http://intranet.dlsu.edu.ph/announce/invite-angpantas.pdf