New pact signed to shield original Filipino intellectual property

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has teamed up with the Creative Content Creators Association of the Philippines Inc. (SIKAP) to provide stronger support for local content creators, including the protection of their original works. In a statement, the DTI said it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SIKAP on May 4 to roll out initiatives aimed at bolstering the local content sector. SIKAP is a non-profit organization that supports Filipino creators in developing, protecting, and promoting original content. The DTI’s partnership with the group focuses on intellectual property (IP) awareness and the development of original Filipino content. Through these efforts, the DTI said it would accelerate the transformation of creative talent into sustainable livelihoods for both emerging and established artists. “Through this partnership with SIKAP, we affirm our commitment to a collaboration that is practical, responsive, and proactive,” said DTI Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza Bautista. “We recognize the importance of programs that strengthen creative entrepreneurship, connect creators to markets and networks, encourage innovation, and provide pathways for sustainable growth,” she said. The partnership aligns with Republic Act (RA) No. 11904, or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, aimed at professionalizing the creative sector by establishing higher quality standards and enhancing the global competitiveness of local outputs. These initiatives are likewise integrated into the DTI’s flagship “Malikhaing Pinoy” program, designed to build a robust ecosystem for the country’s creative economy. SIKAP President Marla de Castro Rausch said the MOU with the DTI is a significant step toward the formal recognition of Filipino-made IP. “For our organization, this partnership serves as a vital acknowledgment that original Filipino content and intellectual property deserve a prominent seat at the table of the national creative agenda,” she said. (Dexter Barro II)