I just saw this article at the Ground mailing list.

Who does Rivermaya belong to?

FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo (The Philippine Star)

Updated September 26, 2009 12:00 AM

So who does Rivermaya, rather the name, really belong to?

This issue has finally been resolved by a decision of the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) which confirmed that Rivermaya belongs to its creator, Lizza Guerrero Nakpil. The order, dated Aug. 18, 2009, upheld Lizza’s ownership of the trademark under registration number 4-2008-008018.

“The Philippines is a signatory to all international conventions and treaties governing international property,” said Lizza who conceived and founded the band in 1993 together with business partner Chito Roño. “Rivermaya became an important and successful part of OPM here and in Asia. Some members like Bamboo Mañalac and Rico Blanco resigned for personal reasons and went on their own, using their own names, with experience and fame won under Chito and me, and they now have our blessings.”

It was Lizza and Chito who auditioned, hired and developed the various members. Mark Escueta (Jolina Magdangal’s current date), who was hired by Lizza as a drummer, filed his own application at the IPO, solely in his name for Rivermaya, in Oct. 2008. It was rejected by IPO along with an opposition filed by Mark et al to Lizza’s ownership. The other members joined the band only in 2001. The latest member, singer Jayson Fernandez, was hired in 2007 through a nationwide TV search financed by Lizza. The two other members are Mike Elgar (guitars) and Japs Sergio (bass).

Added Lizza, “I believe no one can argue with the fact that they were one and all given training, rehearsing programs, makeovers, medical care, image advice, and exposure using our time and resources. Thankfully, my role as creator and originator of Rivermaya, and ownership of its intellectual property rights, has been recognized and upheld by the law. The IPO has ruled that the name belongs to me.”

On the eve of the October-long awareness drive for the importance of Intellectual Property, the decision underlines the value and the protection given to the conceptualization and development of ideas by law.

Said Lizza, “Under this decision, all concerts, albums, and projects by any groups, producers, sponsors, venues, promotional vehicles utilizing the name Rivermaya without my express authorization constitute a violation of law and violators may be subject to legal action, both civil or criminal, aside from damages and other penalties which may be imposed by law.”

The IPO decision came just when Rivermaya has released a new album called Closest Thing to Heaven under Warner Music Philippines. The album contains 10 all-original tracks featuring a fresh new Rivermaya sound which will surely catch the interest of music fans from various genres. The band has had gigs in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore (for the New Year Countdown) and Seoul (as the Philippine representative at the Asian Songfest).

Blogger’s Commentary:

I wasn’t suprised when I read the article. I believe that the decision on the “Rivermaya” name was just. Now that the issue has been resolved with the IPO confirming Lizza Nakpil’s ownership of the name, this means that the release of Maya’s new album, “Closest Thing to Heaven” is obviously illegal. It’s just a matter of time till Warner Music pulls out the CD at record bars.