ABS-CBN CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. FELIPE GOZON, GILBERTO R. DUAVIT, JR., MARISSA L.

FLORES, JESSICA A. SOHO, GRACE DELA PEÑA-REYES, JOHN OLIVER T. MANALASTAS, JOHN
DOES AND JANE DOES, Respondents. G.R. No. 195956, March 11, 2015
Doctrine: News or the event itself is not copyrightable. However, an event can be captured and
presented in a specific medium. As recognized by this court in Joaquin, television “involves a
whole spectrum of visuals and effects, video and audio.” News coverage in television involves
framing shots, using images, graphics, and sound effects. It involves creative process and
originality. Television news footage is an expression of the news
Facts:
The controversy arose from GMA-7’s news coverage on the homecoming of Filipino overseas
worker and hostage victim Angelo dela Cruz. Respondents are officers and employees of GMA
Network, Inc. (GMA-7). They are: Felipe Gozon (Gozon), GMA-7 President; Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr.
(Duavit, Jr.), Executive Vice-President; Marissa L. Flores (Flores), Vice-President for News and
Public Affairs; Jessica A. Soho (Soho), Director for News; Grace Déla Peña-Reyes (Dela Peña-
Reyes), Head of News and Public Affairs; John Oliver Manalastas ‘(Manalastas), Program
Manager; and others. As summarized by the Court of Appeals
Overseas Filipino worker Angelo dela Cruz was kidnapped by Iraqi militants and as a condition
for his release, a demand was made for the withdrawal of Filipino troops in Iraq. After
negotiations, he was released by his captors and was scheduled to return to the country in the
afternoon. Occasioned by said homecoming and the public interest it generated, both GMA
Network, Inc and [petitioner] made their respective broadcasts and coverage of the live event.
ABS-CBN “conducted live audio-video coverage of and broadcasted the arrival of Angelo dela
Cruz at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the subsequent press conference.”
ABS-CBN allowed Reuters Television Service (Reuters) to air the footages it had taken earlier
under a special embargo agreement.