Philippines introduces copyright toolkit for local musicians
16 March 2026
Amid the unprecedented growth of the Philippine music industry, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is strengthening engagement with music artists to equip them with the knowledge and tools needed to leverage copyright, safeguard their artistic legacies, and sustain the rising global momentum of Philippine music.
As part of this effort, IPOPHL recently held a public consultation for the development of the Toolkit for Filipino Musicians on Managing Copyright, a resource designed to provide clear and practical guidance on fundamental copyright principles in the music industry. The toolkit aims to enhance the capacity of Filipino artists to manage their intellectual property and navigate the business side of the music industry.
The consultation forms a key activity led by FlipMusic Productions, Inc. under its consultancy engagement with IPOPHL for the toolkit project, implemented through the agency’s Copyright Plus Program.
Through the consultation, insights grounded in real industry experiences and challenges were gathered from stakeholders across the music community. These inputs will help ensure that the toolkit reflects the language, practices, and realities of contemporary Filipino musicians.
The initiative comes at a pivotal time for the local music industry, which has seen a remarkable surge in global reach and digital consumption. Filipino music content on Spotify has grown fourfold over the past five years, while the rise of P-Pop acts such as BINI and SB19 continues to draw international attention to Original Pilipino Music (OPM). The industry’s expansion has also been supported by increased access to legitimate digital streaming platforms for both creators and listeners.
During the consultation, discussions highlighted common challenges faced by musicians, particularly those starting their careers. Speakers noted that many artists sign recording agreements without fully understanding contractual terms, music ownership structures, revenue streams, or how copyright protections work.
Participants also pointed out that knowledge gaps persist even among established musicians, especially in areas such as royalty administration, collections, and the role of collective management organizations that help artists manage and enforce their rights.
The insights gathered underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive and accessible resource tailored to the realities of Filipino music creators.
“This toolkit is part of our broader effort to cultivate a more enabling and future-ready IP ecosystem for the Philippine music industry,” said Nathaniel S. Arevalo, acting director general of IPOPHL. “By grounding policy support in the real experiences of our creators, we ensure that our interventions are responsive, inclusive, and aligned with how the industry actually works.”
For Jeli Mateo, CEO of FlipMusic, the toolkit is envisioned as an evolving resource that will continue to grow alongside the industry.
“The consultation ensures that the toolkit will be responsive to the needs of artists and lead to the creation of a resource that is not only informative but genuinely useful for musicians at different stages of their careers,” Mateo said.
Meanwhile, Fernan R. Dizon, officer-in-charge assistant director of IPOPHL’s Bureau of Copyright and Related Rights, delivered a message on behalf of Director Emerson G. Cuyo, highlighting the toolkit’s potential impact in strengthening copyright awareness, promoting responsible rights management, and supporting sustainable careers in the Philippine music sector.
The Toolkit for Filipino Musicians on Managing Copyright is a key initiative under IPOPHL’s Copyright Plus Program 2.0, an expanded series of programs designed to raise copyright awareness among under-resourced creators and help them unlock both the economic and cultural value of their work through intellectual property protection and registration.
- Excel V. Dyquiangco
