IPOPHL Issues Revised Rules on Copyright Registration and Related Services
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has issued Memorandum Circular No. 2026-007, adopting the Revised Rules and Regulations on Copyright Registration and Copyright Related Services, aimed at streamlining procedures and enhancing efficiency in copyright registration and related transactions.
The issuance reflects IPOPHL’s continuing mandate to protect intellectual property rights under the Constitution and the Intellectual Property Code, while modernizing its systems in response to evolving administrative and technological demands.
Expanded Scope and Streamlined Processes
The revised rules govern not only the registration of works with the Bureau of Copyright and Other Related Rights (BCRR), but also the recordation of copyright assignments, licenses, and mortgages, as well as other copyright-related services offered by IPOPHL.
They build on existing frameworks by integrating related services into a single set of rules, with the objective of improving transparency, efficiency, and accessibility for applicants.
Electronic Filing and Registration Requirements
Applications for copyright registration must now be submitted electronically through IPOPHL’s designated filing system, with applicants required to accomplish prescribed forms and comply with documentary requirements.
Eligible applicants include authors or creators, their heirs or successors-in-interest, assignees, and duly authorized representatives.
The rules cover both original and derivative works, and set out detailed requirements for identification documents and proof of authority, depending on whether the applicant is a natural or juridical person.
Copies of works submitted for registration must follow prescribed formats and size limitations, with provisions allowing the use of secure cloud storage for larger files.
Processing and Issuance of Certificates
Upon submission, applications undergo review to ensure completeness and consistency of information. Once found compliant, applicants are issued an electronic Statement of Account (eSOA) and directed to pay the prescribed fees.
Following payment and validation, IPOPHL issues an electronic Copyright Certificate of Registration within prescribed processing periods, subject to the nature and complexity of the application.
Applications that fail to comply with requirements or remain incomplete after notice may be deemed abandoned.
Grounds for Refusal and Remedies
The rules enumerate specific grounds for refusal of registration, including lack of originality, absence of human authorship, inconsistency in ownership claims, or where the work is already in the public domain or previously registered.
In such cases, IPOPHL issues a copyright registrability report, after which applicants may seek review or appeal in accordance with applicable procedures.
Post-Registration Services
The circular also introduces detailed procedures for post-registration services, including amendments, cancellation, and reissuance of certificates. Substantive amendments—such as changes in authorship, ownership, or title—require approval, while minor corrections may be processed more administratively.
Certificates may be cancelled upon findings of fraud or misrepresentation, or pursuant to final court decisions or rulings in infringement cases.
Registered works and related transactions are published through IPOPHL’s official channels to ensure public notice and transparency.
Recordation of Copyright Transactions and Resale Rights
The revised rules likewise cover the recordation of copyright transfers, assignments, licenses, and mortgages. Applications for recordation must include the relevant agreements and are processed through the same electronic system.
In addition, the circular provides procedures for resale right enrollment, allowing qualified works to be recorded and certified, subject to compliance with applicable IPOPHL issuances.
Read the full issuance here.