PROCEDURES IN APPLYING FOR COPYRIGHT

• Be reminded that The National Library (TNL) is the agency that implements Presidential Decree 49 or the Law on Intellectual Property, which protects authors of intellectual creations, copyright being the exclusive right to:
  
  
  • "print, reprint, publish, copy, distribute, multiply, sell and make photographs, photo-engravings, and pictorial illustrations of the works";
    
    
  • "make any translation or other version or extracts or arrangement or adaptations thereof, dramatize it if it be a non-dramatic work; convert it into a non-dramatic work if it be a drama; complete or execute it if it be a model or design;
    
    
  • "exhibit, perform, represent, produce, or reproduce the work in any manner or by any method whatever for profit or otherwise; if not reproduced in copies for sale, to sell any manuscripts or any records whatsoever thereof";
    
    
  • "make any other use or disposition of the work consistent with the laws of the land"
  
  
• Be reminded, too, that intellectual creations protected by PD 49 include:
  
  
  • books, encyclopedia works, gazettes and compilations
    
    
  • periodicals and newspapers
    
    
  • lectures, sermons, addresses, dissertations prepared for oral delivery
    
    
  • letters
    
    
  • dramatic or dramatic-musical compositions; choreographic works and entertainments in dumb shows, the acting form of which is fixed in writing or other works
    
    
  • musical compositions, with or without works;
    
    
  • works of drawing, painting, architecture, sculpture, engraving, lithography, and other works of art; models or designs for works of art;
    
    
  • collections, compilations, abridgements, commentaries, criticial studies, abstracts, verifications, adaptations, arrangements, dramatizations, translations;
    
    
  • works republished or reproduced with new matters; and
    
    
  • editions with corrections and alterations.
  
  
• Apply for copyright at the Publications and Special Services (Copyright) Division of TNL. This is the unit in charge of processing copyright applications. Secure application form in said office. Those in far-off areas of the country, ask your application form by mail or by fax (502329) addressed or attention to:
  
  

  The Chief Publications and Special Services (Copyright) Division The National Library T.M. Kalaw St. Ermita, Manila 1000

  
  
• Accomplish application sheet in duplicate and in typewritten form. For No. 8 of the application, state the specific date when the work was finished. For No. 9, indicate when the work was published.
  
  
• Accompany application with a duly notarized affidavit affixed with a ten-peso documentary stamp, two copies of the work as deposit, and one hundred pesos (P100.00) for registration fee. If through mail, send registration fee by postal money order addressed to the Director of The National Library. Affix another ten-peso documentary stamp to the copyright certificate
  
  
• For published works, the deposit of two printed copies must have its copyright notice printed in front or at the back of the title page (for books), or on any conspicuous space thereof (for non-books)
  
  
• Print copyright notice in the following form:
  
  

  Philippine copyright 19___ (year of creation) by ________________(name of copyright owner)

  
  
• For unpublished works, accompany registration with two manuscripts and/or reproduced copies of the work without the copyright notice printed on the work. "Unpublished" means the work has not been disseminated to the public at the time of registration.
  
  
• A non-resident foreigner applicant must appoint a local authorized agent by a special power of attorney to prosecute copyright application for and his/her behalf with the Copyright Office.
  
  
• If a third party claims copyright ownership of the book, the author, as original copyright owner, waives his/her copyright in writing and under oath in favor of the claimant. Attach copyright waiver to the application.