G.R. No.

108946 January 28, 1999

FRANCISCO G. JOAQUIN, JR., and BJ PRODUCTIONS, INC., petitioners,

vs.
HONORABLE FRANKLIN DRILON, GABRIEL ZOSA, WILLIAM ESPOSO, FELIPE
MEDINA, JR., and CASEY FRANCISCO, respondents.

Scene 1: A corporate man is carrying documents; on top of these documents is a

Certificate of Copyright no. M922 of “Rhoda and Me” which is a dating show. He is
walking towards the National Library where he will submit the other documents that will
serve as an addendum to its certificate of copyright specifying the show's format and
style of presentation.

Scene 2: While watching a television, the corporate man saw on RPN Channel 9 the
episode on “It’s a Date” produced by IXL Productions. He then wrote a letter to IXL’s
president informing the latter that he has a copyright of the same format as shown on
their “It’s a Date” show in their “Rhoda and Me” show.

Scene 3: IXL’s president sought to register IXL’s copyright to their first episode of “It’s a
Date” to the National Library.

Scene 4: The corporate man filed a complaint against IXL’s president in violation of PD
No. 49 before the RTC of Quezon City. The RTC ruled in favor of the corporate man.

Scene 5: IXL’s president sought a review of the RTC Decision before the Department of
Justice. The Secretary of Justice ruled in favor of the president of IXL and later on
denied the corporate man’s motion for reconsideration.

Scene 6: Hence, the corporate man went to the Supreme Court.

Scene 7: (Court Room) The Supreme Court held that the format of a show is not
copyrightable as provided by Section 2 of PD no. 49 otherwise known as the Decree on
Intellectual Property which enumerates the classes of work that are covered by the
copyright protection. Similarly, RA 8293, the Intellectual Property Code of the
Philippines provides that format or mechanics of a television show is not included in the
list of the protected work by the copyright law of the Philippines. PD 49 enumerates the
works subject to copyright protection which refers to finished works and not on
concepts. It does not extend to an idea, procedure, process, system, method or
operation, concept, principles or discovery regardless of the form to which it is
described, explained, and illustrated or embodied in the work.

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