Money in Music Copyright - Part 1: Synchronization License

After reading laws on music copyright, Paul says, "Ok, now show me the money!"

Paul, our fictional music composer here, is one of a kind. "Show me the money" is a great thing to ask, but not all composers do that! I pray this blog will help music composers realize how much money they can lose when they don't ask that question.

There's another word for "money" in music copyright parlance. It's called royalties.

Because Paul has written a hit song, Paul shall see that royalties goes to his bank account in two ways: one-time and recurring.

The Law of the Philippines Protects Music Copyright

The law that protects music copyright in the Philippines is the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, aka RA 8293. The body that implements the law is the Intellectual Property Office.

I am not a lawyer, so, all I can share here are snippets of that law that I think are relevant to music copyright.

(1) Music copyright is an intellectual property protected by law from the moment of creation:

172.1. Literary and artistic works, hereinafter referred to as "works", are original intellectual creations in the literary and artistic domain protected from the moment of their creation and shall include in particular xxx (f) musical compositions, with or without words.

Even Churches in the Philippines Speak of Music Copyright

Praise Music Publishing calls on Christian Churches to pay music royalties too. Praise describes itself in its website as follows (emphases mine):

Praise Music Publishing and CopyCare Philippines are Divisions of Praise Incorporated set up in 1996 to begin the groundwork for Music Publishing and Licensing in the Philippine territory. Our administered catalogues include among others “God Is Good”, “There Is None Like You”, “I Will Be Here”, “Shout To The Lord”, “The Warrior Is A Child”, and many thousands more. These copyrights are regularly sung in worship services and other church-related events.

Those songs are indeed popular songs. And churches should pay royalties?

I know you cannot believe it.

Music is Alive and Well in the Philippines

I believe music is music is alive and well in the Philippines. The video below is that of Wendell Garcia and Karel Honasan, jamming together during the Tiendesitas Music and Arts Festival on May 17, 2009.