THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has warned politicians running for office in the May election against using campaign jingles that are governed by copyright laws.

“Songs, both lyrics and melody, are protected by copyright, which generally belong to the composers. As copyright owners, they alone have the right to authorize or prohibit, among others, the making of copies (reproduction), the modification (transformation), and public playing (public performance) of their musical compositions,” IPOPHL said in a statement on Monday.