Who owns the copyright if an employee creates a work?
Ownership depends on whether the work was created as part of the employee’s regular duties. Section 178.3 Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines grants ownership to the employee if the work is not part of their regular duties. If it is the result of regularly-assigned duties, the copyright belongs to the employer unless agreed otherwise. This applies even if the employee uses the employer’s facilities for non-duty works. “178.3. In the case of work created by an author during and in the course of his employment, the copyright shall belong to: (a) The employee, if the creation of the object of copyright is not a part of his regular duties even if the employee uses the time, facilities and materials of the employer. (b) The employer, if the work is the result of the performance of his regularly-assigned duties, unless there is an agreement, express or implied, to the contrary.” January 7, 2026About Nicolas and De Vega Law Offices
Nicolas and De Vega Law Offices is a full-service law firm in the Philippines. You may visit us at the 16th Flr., Suite 1607 AIC Burgundy Empire Tower, ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, 1605 Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. You may also call us at +632 84706126, +632 84706130, +632 84016392 or e-mail us at [email protected]. Visit our website https://ndvlaw.com/.
