Filipino folk singer arrested on copyright violation

Asian Economic News, June 11, 2001

MANILA, June 6 Kyodo

Filipino folk singer Freddie Aguilar was arrested Tuesday on a charge of violating intellectual property rights involving his internationally acclaimed song ''Anak,'' police said Wednesday.

The singer, also famous in Japan, was arrested at his home in a Quezon City suburb but later freed after posting bail of 6,000 pesos (about $118).

Police said a lower court in Quezon City issued a warrant for Aguilar's arrest based on a complaint filed by his former recording company, Bayanihan Music Philippines Inc. (BAMI).

The charges stem from Aguilar's allowing Star Cinema Productions to use the song in a movie, infringing on BAMI's copyright.

''Anak,'' a Filipino word meaning ''my child,'' was recorded in 1978 and has been translated into several languages.

In its complaint, BAMI said Aguilar entered into a contract whereby the singer assigned to the recording company all his rights, interests and participation in a number of his musical compositions, including ''Anak,'' for the full term of the copyright.

According to the complaint, Aguilar entered into a licensing agreement with Star Cinema sometime in October 1998 for use of the song, including the right to record, dub and synchronize the song in relation to the motion picture in any and all media.

BAMI also accused the singer of granting Star Cinema the right to use the title of the song for a movie.

After informing Star Cinema of its existing copyright over the song, BAMI said it entered into a film synchronization licensing agreement with Star Cinema giving BAMI control over the musical composition.