BALANGA CITY (PIA) — Policymakers, artists, copyright experts, collective management organizations, and representatives of international institutions from across the Asia-Pacific region gathered in Bataan to discuss artists’ resale rights (ARR) and their role in promoting a more equitable and sustainable art market.
The three-day Asian Regional Conference on Artists’ Resale Right, organized by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), was held in Bagac, Bataan from June 8 to 10.
The conference served as a platform for advancing dialogue on the implementation of ARR amid rapidly evolving art markets influenced by digital platforms, cross-border transactions, and emerging technologies.
ARR is a mechanism that enables creators to receive a share of the proceeds when their original artworks are resold in the secondary market, helping ensure that artists benefit from the increasing value of their works over time.
Among the Philippine participants were renowned artists Nemesio Miranda, Abdulmari “Toym” de Leon Imao Jr., Alberto “Badz” Magsumbol, and Megs Empinado, who joined fellow artists and stakeholders from around the world in discussions on strengthening artists’ participation in the long-term value generated by their creative works.
WIPO Deputy Director General for the Copyright and Creative Industries Sector Sylvie Forbin highlighted the strong partnership between WIPO and the Philippines, citing the country’s continued commitment to strengthening intellectual property protection.
Forbin noted that the Philippines’ adoption of WIPO treaties had laid an important foundation for protecting creativity and helping creators derive value from their works through copyright and related rights.
Participants also worked toward developing strategies and a regional roadmap to strengthen awareness, administration, and enforcement of ARR across the Asia-Pacific region.
In a video message, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos underscored the importance of protecting artists’ rights while fostering stronger regional cooperation.
“This meaningful initiative reflects our shared commitment in protecting and promoting the rights of artists and creators and at the same time strengthening regional cooperation towards a more equitable and transparent creative industry. I hope that today’s gathering will encourage deeper collaboration, meaningful discussions, and continued efforts to support artists in order to advance growth for culture and creative sectors,” she said.
IPOPHL Director General Teodoro C. Pascua emphasized the importance of artists’ resale rights and other intellectual property mechanisms in sustaining the livelihoods of artists and supporting national development.
“By strengthening protections, promoting mechanisms such as resale rights and enhancing awareness among creators, we can ensure that artists are able to sustain their practice and continue contributing to our cultural and economic landscape. Ultimately, supporting our artists is more than an economic policy, it is about nation building. It is about creating an environment where creativity thrives, where talent is nurtured, and where the fruits of artistic labor are justly shared,” Pascua said.
He added that empowering artists was aligned with the country’s broader development goals under the Bagong Pilipinas vision.
“Let us create meaningful steps toward realizing the vision of a nation that values innovation, champions creativity, and empowers our people to achieve their fullest potential. This is also appropriately aligned with the vision of our President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in creating a Bagong Pilipinas,” Pascua said.
The conference highlighted the growing recognition of the creative sector as a driver of cultural development, innovation, and economic growth.
Through stronger policies and mechanisms that protect creators and promote fair participation in the value generated by creative works, stakeholders sought to help build a more inclusive and sustainable creative economy that benefits artists and communities throughout the region. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Bataan)