A GROUP of Hoteliers and restaurateurs have joined forces against a group representing composers and singers.
Abelardo Estrada, counsel of Hotels and Restaurants Association of Baguio (HRAB) said Filipino Society of Composers and Publishers (Filscap) sued six establishments, some are members of HRAB for violating the Intellectual property Code.
“The rights of Filscap are not determined by law,” Estrada said, one of the reasons why HRAB decided to file an answer to the charges filed against some of its members.
Estrada is also questioning the Filscap’s authority and right to collect fees from establishment in behalf of singers and composers.
Estrada said songs which are more than 50 years old are supposed to be public property.
Filscap, however, collects royalties for singers who have already died. For them, it is authorized to collect in behalf of Filipino artists and composers.
Baguio businessmen earlier complained about the collections being done and they wanted to be assured that royalties really go to the artists. (Rimaliza Opiña)