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 popular tunes even if they are copyrighted do not constitute an infringement. 

Issue: Whether or not the playing and singing of musical compositions which have been copyrighted under the provisions of the Copyright Law constitute an infringement. 

Ruling: Appellee cannot be said to have infringed upon the Copyright Law. The Supreme Court has ruled that an intellectual creation should be copyrighted thirty (30) days after its publication, if made in Manila, or within the (60) days if made elsewhere, failure of which renders such creation public property." Indeed, if the general public has made use of the object sought to be copyrighted for thirty (30) days prior to the copyright application the law deems the object to have been donated to the public domain and the same can no longer be copyrighted. A careful study of the records reveals that the song "Dahil Sa lyo" which was registered on April 20, 1956 became popular in radios, juke boxes, etc. long before registration while the song "The Nearness Of You" registered on January 14, 1955 had become popular twenty five (25) years prior to 1968, (the year of the hearing) or from 1943 and the songs "Sapagkat Ikaw Ay Akin" and "Sapagkat Kami Ay Tao Lamang" both registered on July 10, 1966, appear to have been known and sang by the witnesses as early as 1965 or three years before the hearing in 1968 The musical compositions in question had long become public property, and are therefore beyond the protection of the Copyright Law. 

Here's the references 

‎https://www.scribd.com/document/447765555/dokumen-tips-compiled-cases-copyright-doc

Case 2

Columbia Pictures vs. Court of Appeals

What happened?

‎Major film companies, including Columbia Pictures, filed a case against a video rental business in the Philippines.

‎The business was renting and reproducing films without proper authorization from the copyright owners.

‎This involved unauthorized duplication and distribution of copyrighted movies.

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‎Supreme Court ruling

‎The Supreme Court of the Philippines ruled in favor of the film companies.

‎The Court confirmed that:

‎Renting or distributing pirated copies is copyright infringement

‎Copyright owners have exclusive rights to reproduce and distribute their works

‎Here's the references  °https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/1/34021

°https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/online-philippine-reports-now-available-on-the-supreme-court-e-library/

My insight 

These cases reminded me how important it is to respect copyright and understand its limits. In Filipino Society of Composers v. Benjamin Tan, I learned that not all works are protected forever, and once they become public domain, anyone can use them. On the other hand, Columbia Pictures vs. Court of Appeals showed that using or distributing copyrighted works without permission is still illegal.

Overall, these cases reminded me to be more responsible in using music, movies, and other creative works, and to always respect the rights of creators.

‎plagiarism 

‎Below is the statement written by my classmate:  Myra, Tablo

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‎As a baby, my toys weren’t soft or colorful. They were medicines lined in rows, syringes standing like silent sentries, each trapped in the four corners of my room. The walls held me close, the cold tiles pressed beneath me, and every needle and pill marked a rhythm I could not yet name. Strange storms pulsed in my tiny mind, pulling me into moments I couldn’t control. Yet, within that confined world, resilience quietly grew. Even surrounded by fear and needles, I found life flickering fragile, stubborn, and unbroken shaping the fighter I would become.

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Reflect 

‎After a thorough check, I have confirmed that this work is completely original and contains no plagiarism. Seeing the honesty in my partner’s writing made me realize that plagiarism is not just a violation of rules, it is a missed opportunity to show the world who we really are. No AI or existing article could have captured these specific memories with such raw and personal emotion.

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‎The act of checking each other’s work for authenticity reminded me that as students, our greatest asset is our own voice. When we choose to be honest in our writing, we give value to our personal history. My partner’s story about growing up surrounded by medicine instead of toys is a deeply moving narrative that proves why original work is so important. It allows us to connect with one another on a human level, something that copied work can never achieve.

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‎Reflecting on this, I’ve learned that academic integrity and personal resilience go hand in hand. It takes courage to be vulnerable and share our true stories without relying on the words of others. This activity has strengthened my commitment to being an ethical student and an authentic writer. By respecting the origin of our ideas, we not only honor our own growth but also the profession we are preparing for.

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