Thursday, December 04, 2008 Musicians explain royalty rights
THE arrival of the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers or Filscap has stirred a clamor among those in the business sector using music in their establishments.
Many questioned the authority of the organization.
Filscap general manager Debbie Gaite explained the rule of the society.
"Filscap is tasked by both local and international composers, lyric-writers, and music publishers to watch over their rights when their music is used in public performances. Under Republic Act (RA) 8293, the right to publicly perform and the right to communicate to the public a musical work are vested exclusively on the copyright owner of the musical work. If a business or individual wanted to use a copyrighted work they will need to acquire permit from the copyright owner," she said.
Gaite added: "The society derives its authority from Deeds of Assignment executed by its members and from reciprocal representation agreements entered into with foreign societies. It mainly administers the public performance rights of its members."
Public performance of a musical work means the singing, reciting, playing, dancing, acting or performing of the work either directly or indirectly to a live audience or by means of any device or process at a place or places where persons outside the normal circle of family are present.
"Any person, firm, or corporation causing or authorizing a public performance in the Philippines of any copyrighted music belonging to Filscap's worldwide repertoire must obtain a public performance license from Filscap," said Gaite.
"The payments collected by Filscap from licensees, after deduction of administration costs, are distributed annually to its members and affiliated societies whose works were performed, reproduced, or synchronized during the year," she further said.
Filscap will be holding a Composers and Publishers Forum at Ayuyang Bar and Restaurant on Thursday at 3 p.m. Topics concerning composers and publishers' rights will be discussed.
They are inviting local composers and publishers to attend this symposium. Call or text the following numbers for more details and confirmation of attendance: Kevin: 09156551741/Carl: 09269722222
It will be holding a grand concert on Friday at Melvin Jones at 7 p.m. where its prominent members will perform.
Performers are Noel Cabangon, Cooky Chua with Mike Villegas, Heber Bartolome and Ang Banyuhay and Maestro with Nonoy Tan, Mon del Rosario, and Tito Camanda. New members from the locality will also be performing.
