IP Month 2025 prioritizes OPM protection

This year’s celebration of National Intellectual Property Month (NIPM) will not just focus on protecting and respecting intellectual property (IP) rights but the power of music.

“It is said that music is a universal language of mankind. I believe this to be true. Wherever you are, music affects you. Its impact cuts across communities and generations,” said director general Brigitte M. da Costa-Villaluz.

“Through NIPM 2025, IPOPHL aims to raise awareness not only on the power of music but also about the crucial role IP plays in helping the Philippine music industry thrive. Creators must be empowered to ensure that their intellectual property is valued, protected, and celebrated whether at home or abroad,” Da Costa-Villaluz added.

Bringing the Pinoy Beat to the World

The IPOPHL said that with the theme “IP and Music: Bringing the Pinoy Beat to the World,” which connects with the World Intellectual Property Organization “Feel the Beat of IP” theme, NIPM 2025 will highlight the rich and diverse music of the Philippines, urging recognition of the importance of IP in empowering Filipino artists and those involved in the growing local music industry.

Latest creative economy data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shows the Music, Arts and Entertainment category at an upward trajectory since 2020.

In four years, industry revenues and employment increased at an annual average rate of 9.25 percent and 11 percent, respectively.

In 2024, Music, Arts, and Entertainment grew 8.3 percent year-on-year to P19.65 billion in revenues.

Moreover, the industry workforce expanded by 0.5 percent to 34,000, according to the PSA.

Local music preference

With this growth, Da Costa-Villaluz stressed that a new era of preference for local music also emerged.

Spotify Philippines reported that its Top 50 — Philippine playlist, a daily update of the most played tracks in the country, is now dominated by local music, showcasing the vibrancy of the local music scene.

On the other hand, Pinoy music streams have also quadrupled globally over the past five years, with the US, Canada, Indonesia, Poland and Australia representing the top markets outside the Philippines.

Global daily streams of playlists have also surged, and the leading playlist on Philippine hip-hop has increased by 600 percent in the last five years, while the main playlist on Philippine pop has grown by 138 percent year-on-year.

“As we look ahead, it is important for the Philippine music industry to continue to harness the power of IP to ensure that local talent is recognized and rewarded fairly. With strong IP protections in place, our music can continue to break boundaries, share life stories, and elevate the Philippines on the global stage,” Da Costa-Villaluz added.