ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF LAW
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title:
No. of Units:
Semester/ SY:
Department/Track:
I.

Copyright Law
2/3 (JD/LLM)
First Semester 2014-2015
IP Department

Instructor:
Ferdinand M. Negre

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

Course Description
This copyright course emphasizes the various legislations on copyright and related rights and aims to provide the
student with an in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of the general principles of copyright and related right law. The
course also introduces the international treaties on copyright and related rights, the role of WIPO and the WTO in the
worldwide protection of copyright and related rights, as well as recent developments and trends in the area of
international copyright and related rights.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to:

have a deeper understanding of the basic principles in copyright law and related rights

understand the different stakeholders in the copyright system and be able to look for a balance between the
diverse and opposing interests

be able to analyze and compare the different case scenarios and apply this skill to new sets of facts.

Methodology
X
X

X
X
X

case-analysis
clinics apprenticeships, internship, externships
debates
essay writing
field visits (e.g. court visits, observations)
film showing, with processing
hypothetical cases- problem solving
inter-disciplinary study/discussions
lecture-recitation
legal writing: brief-making, contract drafting, etc.
guest lectures, with dialogues
group/team projects

individual/group reports and presentations

mooting
participatory class discussion
practical class exercises:
reflection/ meditation
research and interviews
seminars, conference, workshops
simulations/role play (of actual legal practice)
law teaching/training experience (e.g. street law)
Others:
Others:
Others:

[Brief description of the methods chosen.]

The basic approach is case-analysis through the Socratic method. Students are asked to recite the cases and
asked to compare these cases or are asked hypothetical cases arising out of the fact-pattern of the cases recited.
Experts are also invited to give lectures on a given topic. Students are free to ask questions subject to time
constraints. Use of visual aids including actual works subject of the copyright disputes are shown and analyzed
in class. A lecture is given in between or at the end of class to synthesize the law and the cases discussed.
II. COURSE OUTLINE and MATERIALS
Principal References:
1

Intellectual Property Code, R.A. 8293, as amended by R.A. 10372

Trade-Related Aspects on Intellectual Property Agreement (TRIPs Agreement) of the WTO
Week 1
I. Introduction
A.
The Development of Philippine Copyright Law, Christopher Lim, 46 Ateneo L.J. 369 (2001)
The Landscape of Copyright, Copyright Law by Joyce et. al. (7th Ed. 2006)
Copyright vis--vis other intellectual property
Kho v. Court of Appeals, 379 SCRA 410 (2002)
B. Protection of Intellectual Property and the Constitution
Section 13, 15, 16 Article XIV
Section 19, Article XII
Section 6, Article XII
ABS-CBN v. Phil. Multi-Media, G.R. 175769-70, Jan. 19, 2009
C. Intellectual Property and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Articles 17, 19, 27
D. Overview: Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
E. TRIPs Agreement/WTO Treaty
A.
Overview
B.
Fundamental Principles, e.g. National Treatment v. Most Favored Nation Principle [Articles 3 and 4]
C.
Exhaustion of intellectual property rights [Article 6]
D.
Abuse of Intellectual Property Rights [Article 8, Paragraph 2]
E.
Accession to WTO and TRIPS Compliance [Article 2]
Week 2
II. The Subject Matter of Copyright Law
A. Definition of Copyright
Section 177, Intellectual Property Code (IPC)
Rules 2, 11-12, Copyright Safeguards and Regulations (issued by the National Library)
B. Prerequisites for and Elements of Copyrightable Subject Matter
Sections 171.1, 172.1, 172.2, IPC
Originality:
Burrow-Giles Lithographic Co. v. Sarony, 111 U.S. 53 (1884)
Bleistein v. Donaldson Lithographing Co.188 U.S. 239 (1903)
Alfred Bell & Co. v. Catalda Fine Arts, Inc., 191 F.2d 99 (2d Cir. 1951)
Mannion v. Coors Brewing Company, 377 F. Supp. 2d 444 (S.D.N.Y. 2006)
Ching Kian Chuan v. CA, 363 SCRA 142 (2001)
Sambar v. Levi Strauss, 378 SCRA 364 (2002)
Creativity:
Feist Publications, Inc. v. Rural Telephone Service Co., 499 U.S. 340 (1991)
Muller & Co. v. New York Arrows Soccer Team Inc., 802 F.2d 989 (8th Cir., 1986)
Meshwerks, Inc. v. Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. 528 F.3d 1258 (10th Cir. 2008)
Week 3
C. When Copyright Vests
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Santos v. McCullough Printing Co., 12 SCRA 321 (1964)

Filipino Society of Composers v. Benjamin Tan, 148 SCRA 461 (1987)
Unilever Philippines (PRC) v. CA, GR No. 119280, 10 August 2006
Manly v. Dadodette, G.R. No. 165306. September 20, 2005
Section 2, PD 49
Article 5(2), Berne Convention for the Protection of Literacy and Artistic Works
Section 172 and 172.2, IPC
Rule 7, Sections 2, Copyright Safeguards and Regulations

D. Scope of Copyright
1. Original works
Article 2, Berne Convention for the Protection of Literacy and Artistic Works
Sections 172, 172.2, 173, 173.2, 174, IPC
Section 175, IPC
Section 176, IPC

2. The "Idea/Expression" Dichotomy

Baker v. Selden, 101 U.S. 99 (1879)
A.A. Hoehling v. Universal City Studios, Inc., 618 F.2d 972 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 841 (1980)
American Dental Association v. Delta Dental Plans Association, 126 F.3d 977 (7th Cir. 1997)
Joaquin v. Drilon, 302 SCRA 225 (1999)
Pearl & Dean v. Shoemart, 409 SCRA 231 (2003)
Ching v. Salinas, G.R. No. 161295, June 29, 2005, 462 SCRA 241
Week 4
3. Derivative Works and Compilations
L. Batlin & Son, Inc. v. Snyder, 536 F.2d 486 (2d Cir.) (en banc), cert. denied, 429 U.S. 857 (1976)
Entertainment Research Group, Inc. v. Genesis Creative Group, Inc., 122 F.3d 1211 (9th Cir. 1997), cert.
denied, 523 U.S. 1021 (1998)
Pickett v. Prince, 207 F.3d 402 (7th Cir. 2000)
Feist Publications, Inc. v. Rural Telephone Service Co., 499 U.S. 340 (1991)
Tele-Direct Publications v. American Business Information, 76 C.P.R. (3d) 296, FC Canada (1997)
Telstra v. Phone Directories, F.C.A. 44 (2010)
Roth Greeting Cards v. United Card Co., 429 F.2d 110 (9th Cir. 1970)
Mason v. Montgomery Data, Inc., 967 F.2d 135 (5th Cir. 1992)
European Union: Council Directive 96/9/EC
E. Authorship
Section 178, Section 179, Section 174, IPC
Article 722 and 723, Civil Code
Article 520 of the Civil Code
1.

Sole Authorship

Lindsay v.The Wrecked and Abandoned Vessel R.M.S. Titanic, 52 U.S.P.Q.2d 1609 (S.D.N.Y. 1999)
2.

Joint Authorship

Childress v. Taylor
Erickson v. Trinity Theatre, Inc., 13 F.3d 1061 (7th Cir. 1994)
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Aalmuhammed v. Lee, 202 F.3d 1227 (9th Cir. 1999)

3.

Works Made for Hire

Community for Creative Non-Violence v. Reid, 490 U.S. 730 (1989)

Aymes v. Bonelli, 980 F.2d 857 (2d. Cir. 1992)
Roeslin v. District of Columbia, 921 F. Supp. 793 (D.D.C. 1995)
4.

Government Works

Section 176 IPC

F. Duration of Copyright
Articles 7 and 7bis, Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
Section 213, Section 214, IPC
Week 5
III. Protected Works and Boundary Problems
A.

Useful Articles with Pictorial, Graphic, or Sculptural Aspects

1.

"Kitsch" or "Progress"?

Mazer v. Stein, 347 U.S. 201 (1964)

2.

Useful Articles [works of applied art] and Doctrine of Separability

Kieselstein-Cord v. Accessories by Pearl, Inc., 632 F.2d 989 (2d Cir. 1980)
Carol Barnhart Inc. v. Economy Cover Corp., 773 F.2d 411 (2d Cir. 1985)
Brandir International, Inc. v. Cascade Pacific Lumber Co., 834 F.2d 1142 (2d Cir. 1987)
B.

Computer Software
1.

Text or Machine?

Apple Computer, Inc. v. Franklin Computer Corp., 714 F.2d 1240 (3d Cir. 1983), cert. dismissed, 464 U.S.
1033 (1984)
2.

Distinguishing Idea from Expression in Software

Computer Associates International, Inc. v. Altai, Inc., 982 F.2d 693 (2d Cir. 1992)
Softel, Inc. v. Dragon Medical and Scientific Communications, Inc., 118 F.3d 955 (2d Cir. 1997), cert.
denied, 523 U.S. 1020 (1988)
Lotus Development Corporation v. Borland International, Inc., 49 F.3d 807 (1st Cir. 1995), affirmed by an
equally divided court, 516 U.S. 233 (1996)
EU Software Directive, Directive on the Legal Protection of Computer Programs, 1991 O.J. (L-122) 42 (EU
Software Directive)
C.

Architectural Works
Section 186, IPC
Nelson-Salabes, Inc. v. Morningside Holdings, 2001 WL 419002 (D. Md. 2001), affirmed in part, revised in
part on other grounds, 284 F.3d 505 (4th Cir. 2002)
Intervest Construction, Inc. v. Canterbury Estate Homes, Inc., 554 F.3d 914 (11th Cir. 2008)

Week 6
D.

Characters
1. Expression or Idea?
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. v. American Honda Motor Co., 900 F. Supp. 1287 (C.D. Cal. 1995)
Titan Sports, Inc. v. Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc., 981 F. Supp. 65 (D. Conn. 1997)
Designers Guild Ltd. v. Russell Williams (Textiles) Ltd, [2000] 1 W.L.R. 2416 (U.K.: House of Lords)
Anderson v. Stallone, 11 U.S.P.Q.2d 1161
Microstar v. FormGen Inc., 154 F.3d 1107 (9th Cir. 1998)
Suntrust Bank v. Houghton Mifflin Co., 268 F.3d 1257 (11th Cir. 2001)
2.

Rights of Publicity

Wendt v. Host Intl, Inc., 125 F.3d 806, 811 (9th Cir. 1997)
White v. Samsung Elecs. Am., Inc., 971 F.2d 1395 (9th Cir. 1992)
3.

Databases

a.

Selection, Arrangement, and Utility

Bellsouth Advertising & Publishing Corp. v. Donnelley Information Publishing, Inc., 999 F.2d 1436 (11th
Cir. 1993) (en banc), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 1101 (1994)
CCC Information Services, Inc. v. Maclean Hunter Market Reports, Inc., 44 F.3d 61 (2d Cir. 1994), cert.
denied, 516 U.S. 817 (1995)
b.

What Is a "Fact"?

CDN Inc. v. Kapes, 197 F.3d 1256 (19th Cir. 1999)

Matthew Bender & Co. v. West Publishing Co., 158 F.3d 693 (2d. Cir. 1998), cert. denied, 526 U.S. 1154
(1999)
Week 7
E. Works that violate the public order
Art. 17 of the Berne Convention
Attorney General v. Guardian Newspapers Ltd., [1990] A.C. 109 (U.K., House of Lords)
F. Literary works
Short phrases
Exxon Corp. v. Exxon Insurance Consultants Ltd, [1982] Ch. 119 (U.K.: High Court and Court of Appeal)
Speech and interviews
Falwell v. Penthouse International Ltd, 215 U.S.P.Q. 975 (U.S.: District Court, West Virginia, 1981)
Blank forms
Bibbero Systems Inc. v. Colwell Systems, Inc., 893 F.2d 1104 (U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Cir., 1989)
IV. Acquiring and Transferring Copyright
A. Deposit and Notice
Section 191, 192, IPC; Section 227-229, IPC; Rule 5, Copyright Safeguards and Regulations
What Is Publication?
Estate of Martin Luther King, Jr., Inc. v. CBS, Inc., 194 F.3d 1211 (11th Cir. 1999)
B. Transfer of Copyright
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Sections 180, 181, 182, 183, IPC; Section 4.2 in relation to Sections 87 and 88, IPC
Section 92, IPC; Section 237, IPC
Asset Marketing Systems, Inc. v. Gagnon, 542 F.3d 748 (9th Cir. 2008), cert. denied, 129 S. Ct. 2442 (2009)
New York Times Company v. Tasini, 533 U.S. 483 (2001)
Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers, Ltd. v. The Walt Disney Company, 145 F.3d 481 (2d Cir. 1998)
Random House v. Rosetta Books, LLC, 150 F. Supp. 2d 613 (S.D.N.Y. 2001)
Vernor v. Autodesk, Inc., 621 F.3d 1102 (9th Cir., 2010)
C. Open source software and creative commons
1. Open source licenses, see http://www.fsf.org/
2. Creative commons licenses, see http://creativecommons.org/
Week 8 (or after med-terms) Lecture by an IP Expert
Week 9
V. Technological Protections
A. The U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act
DMCA Act of 1998
Universal City Studios, Inc. v. Reimerdes, 111 F. Supp. 2d 294 (S.D.N.Y. 2000)
B. Authorized Versus Unauthorized Access and Interoperable Products
Chamberlain Group, Inc. v. Skylink Tech, Inc., 381 F.3d 1178 (Fed. Cir. 2004), cert. denied, 125 S.Ct. 1669
(2005)
Lexmark International, Inc. v. Static Control Components, Inc., 387 F.3d 522 (6th Cir. 2005)
C. Protection for Copyright Management Information
IQ Group, Ltd. v. Wiesner Publishing, LLC, 409 F. Supp. 2d 587 (D.N.J. 2006)
Kelly v. Arriba Soft Corp., 77 F. Supp. 2d 1116 (C.D. Cal. 1999)
VI. Copyright Scope and Enforcement
A. Infringement of Economic Rights
Remedies
Sections 177; 221-224, IPC; Section 3, IPC; Section 10.2, IPC; Sections 216-220, IPC; Sections 225-226,
IPC; Section 231, IPC; Rule on Search and Seizure in Civil Actions for Infringement of Intellectual Property
Rights (A.M. No. 02-1-06-SC)
20th Century Fox v. CA, 164 SCRA 655 (1988)
Columbia Pictures, Inc. v. Court of Appeals, 237 SCRA 367 (1994)
Columbia Pictures v. Court of Appeals, 261 SCRA 144 (1996)
People v. Ramos, 83 SCRA 1 (1978)
Serrano Laktaw v. Paglinawan, 44 Phil. 855
Habana v. Robles, 310 SCRA 511 (1999)
Joaquin v. Drilon, 302 SCRA 225 (1999)
Week 10
1. The Distribution Right
Capitol Records, Inc. v. Thomas, 579 F.Supp. 2d 1210 (D. Minn. 2008)
6

Bobbs-Merrill Company v. Straus, 210 U.S. 339 (1908)

Quality King Distributors, Inc. v. L'anza Research International, Inc., 523 U.S. 135 (1998)
Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons, 568 U.S. __ (No. 11-697, March 19, 2013)
2. Public Performance
Columbia Pictures Indus. v. Redd Horne, Inc., 749 F.2d 154 (3d. Cir. 1984)
Cartoon Network LP v. CSC Holdings, Inc., 536 F.3d 121 (2d Cir. 2008)
3. Public Performance, Public Display, and the Internet
Perfect 10, Inc. v. Amacon.com, Inc., 508 F.3d 1146 (9th Cir. 2007)
3. The Music Industry
Newton v. Diamond, 388 F.3d 1189 (9th Cir. 2004)
Bridgeport Music, Inc. v. Dimension Films, 410 F.3d 792 (6th Cir. 2005)
Arista Records, LLC v. Launch Media, Inc., 578 F.3d 148 (2d Cir. 2009), cert. denied, 130 S.Ct. 1290 (2010)
4. The Right to Prepare Derivative Works
Castle Rock Entertainment, Inc. v. Carol Publishing Group, Inc., 150 F.3d 132 (2d Cir. 1998)
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. v. RDR Books, 75 F.Supp. 2d 513 (S.D.N.Y. 2008)
Mirage Editions, Inc. v. Albuquerque A.R.T. Company, 856 F.2d 1341 (9th Cir. 1988), cert. denied, 489 U.S.
1018 (1989)
Lee v. A.R.T. Company, 125 F.3d 580 (7th Cir. 1997)
Week 11
B. Copying in Fact
Three Boys Music Corp. v. Michael Bolton, 212 F.3d 477 (9th Cir. 2000), cert. denied, 531 U.S. 1126 (2001)
Selle v. Gibb, 741 F.2d 896 (7th Cir. 1984)
Ty, Inc. v. GMA Accessories, Inc., 132 F.3d 1167 (7th Cir. 1997)
Bauman v. Fussell, [1978] R.P.C. 485 (U.K.: County Court & Court of Appeal, 1953)
C. "Substantially Similar" Copy
Nichols v. Universal Pictures Corp., 45 F.2d 119 (2d Cir. 1930), cert. denied, 282 U.S. 902 (1931)
Arnstein v. Porter, 154 F.2d 464 (2d Cir. 1946), cert. denied, 330 U.S. 851 (1947)
Steinberg v. Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc., 663 F. Supp. 706 (S.D.N.Y. 1987)
Boisson v. Banian, Ltd., 273 F.3d 262 (2d. Cir. 2001)
Computer Associates International, Inc. v. Altai, Inc., 982 F.2d 693 (2d Cir. 1992)
Cavalier v. Random House, Inc., 297 F.3d 815 (9th Cir. 2002)
Swirsky v. Carey, 376 F.3d 841 (9th Cir. 2004)
Sid & Marty Krofft Television Productions, Inc. v. McDonald's Corp., 62 F.2d 1157 (9th Cir. 1977)
F. The Direct Infringer
Religious Technology Center v. Netcom On-Line Communication Services, Inc., 907 F. Supp. 1361 (N.D.
Cal. 1995)
Week 12
G. Vicarious and Contributory Infringement
Fonovisa, Inc. v. Cherry Auction, Inc., 76 F.3d 259 (9th Cir. 1996)
Perfect 10, Inc. v. Amazon.com, Inc., supra
7

Perfect 10, Inc. v. Visa International Service Association, 494 F.3d 788 (9th Cir. 2007), cert. denied, 128 S.
Ct. 2871 (2008)
H. Liability of Device Manufacturers
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. v. Grokster, Ltd., 125 S. Ct. 2764 (2005)
I. International Issues in Copyright Infringement Lawsuits
Itar-Tass Russian News Agency v. Russian Kurier, Inc., 153 F.3d 82 (2d Cir. 1998)
The Bridgeman Art Library, Ltd. v. Corel Corp., 36 F. Supp. 2d 191 (S.D.N.Y. 1999)
VII. Limitations on Copyright
A. Express limitations under the IPC
Sections 176, 171.11, 184, 186, 187, 188, IPC; Section 189, IPC; Section 190, IPC
Rule 14, Copyright Safeguards and Regulations
Filipino Society of Composers v. Benjamin Tan, 148 SCRA 461 (1987)
Philippine Education Co. v. Sotto, 52 Phil. 580
Week13
B. Fair use
Section 185, IPC
Harper & Row, Publishers v. Nation Enterprises, 471 U.S. 539 (1985)
Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc., 510 U.S. 569 (1994)
New Era Publications Int'l v. Carol Publishing Group, 904 F.2d 152 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 921
(1990)
Castle Rock Entertainment v. Carol Publishing Group, Inc., 150 F.3d 132 (2d Cir. 1998)
Nuez v. Caribbean International News Corp. (El Vocero de Puerto Rico), 235 F.3d 18 (1st Cir. 2000)
Video Pipeline, Inc. v. Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., 42 F.3d 191 (3rd Cir. 2003)
Bill Graham Archives v. Dorling Kindersley Ltd., 448 F.3d 605 (2d Cir. 2006)
Sega Enterprises Ltd. v. Accolade, Inc., 977 F.2d 1510 (9th Cir. 1992)
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. v. Connectix Corp. 203 F.3d 596 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 531 U.S. 871
(2000)
Perfect 10, Inc. v. Amazon, Inc., supra
Sony Corporation of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc., 464 U.S. 417 (1984)
A&M Records, Inc. v. Napster, Inc., 2000 WL 573136 (N.D. Cal. 2000)
American Geophysical Union v. Texaco, Inc., 60 F.3d 913 (2d Cir. 1995)
Princeton University Press v. Michigan Document Services, Inc., 99 F.3d 1381 (6th Cir. 1996) (en banc), cert.
denied, 520 U.S. 1156 (1997)
ADD ABS CBS vs Gozon case
Week 14
VIII. Related Rights
A. Moral Rights
Article 6bis, Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
Sections 193-199, IPC
B. Right to Proceeds in Subsequent Transfers (Droit De Suite or Follow Up Rights)
8

Sections 200-201, IPC

C. Neighboring Rights
Section 202, IPC
Section 212, IPC
1. Rights of Performers
Sections 203-207, IPC
Section 215, IPC
2. Rights of Producers of Sound Recording
Sections 208-210, IPC
Section 215, IPC
3. Rights of Broadcasting Organizations
Sections 211, IPC; Section 215.2, IPC; P.D. No. 285; Section 239, IPC
D. Moral Rights under US Law
Gilliam v. American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., 538 F.2d 14 (2d Cir. 1976)
The Visual Artists Rights Act
Lilly v. Stout, 384 F.Supp. 2d 83 (D.D.C. 2005)
Martin v. City of Indianapolis, 192 F.3d 608 (7th Cir. 1999)
The Right of Attribution
Dastar Corp. v. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp., 539 U.S. 23 (2003)
Week 15
IX. International Treaties
A. The Berne Convention
B. The TRIPS Agreement
C. The Rome Convention
D. The WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT)
E. The WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT)
X. Copyright vs. Plagiarism
In re J. Del Castillo
III. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING SYSTEM

Course
Requirements
graded recitation,
written exams,
debate,
legal memorandum,
oral presentations

Description
Passing grade is 75.
If called for recitation when absent, the student gets 70.
Students are expected to analyze and compare assigned cases.

Grade
Breakdown
Recitation
50%
Mid Terms
25%
Finals 25%

IV. COURSE POLICIES

[Policy statements on attendance/absences; late or delinquent work; use of electronic devices; classroom behavior;
cheating, plagiarism and other acts of dishonesty; etc.. ALS may add a standard clause on classroom etiquette and on
academic integrity policy (e.g. All paper submissions should first pass through a plagiarism check.), consistent with
the Student Handbook.]
Use of electronic devices is permitted but only for use in class work.
V.

CONTACT AND OTHER INFORMATION

Ferdinand M. Negre
Bengzon Negre Untalan Intellectual Property Attorneys
2nd Floor, SEDCCO Building
120 Rada Street, Legaspi Village
Makati City
Email: fnegre@iplaw.ph
Telephone: 8923282
Mobile Number: 09178019994

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