Thinking Before Using: A Reflection on Copyright and Plagiarism
Overall reflection These lessons on copyright infringement and plagiarism reminded me to be more careful in using other people’s work. Case 1 Filipino Society of Composers v. Benjamin Tan, 148 SCRA 461 (1987) Facts: Plaintiff-appellant is the owner of certain musical compositions among which are the songs entitled: "Dahil Sa Iyo", "Sapagkat Ikaw Ay Akin," "Sapagkat Kami Ay Tao Lamang" and "The Nearness Of You." On the other hand, defendant-appellee is the operator of a restaurant where a combo with professional singers were playing and singing the above-mentioned compositions without any license or permission from the appellant to play or sing the same. Appellant filed a complaint with the lower court for infringement of copyright against defendant- appellee for allowing the playing in defendant-appellee's restaurant of said songs copyrighted in the name of the former. Appellee maintains that the mere singing and playing of songs and popul...