Prosecutor charges Kapamilya Network executive and production staff with copyright infringement

The Assistant City Prosecutor of Quezon City recommended the filing of an information against eight (8) employees and talents of ABS-CBN Corporation (ABS-CBN) in relation to the complaint for violation of the Intellectual Property Code lodged by GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) and Focus Entertainment, Inc. (FOCUS).
 

The complaint stemmed from the alleged unauthorized airing of particular portions of the opening billboard of the drama program Daisy Siete showing images of Jopay Paguia with graphics 'Jopay Paguia' appearing at the bottom of the screen over ABS-CBN showbiz talk show The Buzz on February 13, 2005 without the authorization or consent of GMA and Focus.
 

GMA and FOCUS had a joint venture under a Co-Production Agreement for the production and airing of the said afternoon drama program.
 

FOCUS owned the rights to the television exhibition of Daisy Siete while GMA owned the right to exclusively air/broadcast the same.
 

In a Resolution dated September 12, 2008, Assistant City Prosecutor Vesta Victoria Giner-Villamor found that 'there is probable cause to charge [respondents from ABS-CBN] with violation of Section 177 and Section 211 of the Intellectual Property Code.'
 

Respondents from ABS-CBN included Vice President for Talk, Variety, and Game TV Production Roldeo Endrinal, The Buzz production staff, namely, executive producer Nancy Yabut, production manager Gia Nina Suyao, director Jonathan Diaz, supervising producer and creative consultant Roxy Liquigan, associate producer for technical matters Lani Gutierrez, associate producer Jenny Ingalla, and head writer Rommel Gonzales were charged for violation of the Intellectual Property Code.
 

The Prosecutor's Resolution is based on the finding that The Buzz 'is born from their collective effort of brainstorming and meetings. There is no merit to their defense of ignorance. Human experience and logic would dictate that these respondents who are experienced employees in the field of broadcasting knew before hand that a news item of Jopay Paguia would be tackled in their program. This fact should have put them on guard instead of making it appear that they were ignorant of the intended airing of the footage of Daisy Siete without the consent and authority of FOCUS or GMA.'

Endrinal, meanwhile, who was singled out as member of the executive management, is found to be liable as the other members of the production staff as he has direct supervision over the show and its production staff.

courtesy of GMA Network, photo courtesy of sexbombrulez site

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