Ownership Before PublicationEven before the author or composer has published the work, he is already the owner of the creation. To protect his right, however, he must ask for a copyright if he intends the work to be published. Unless the copyright is obtained, the ownership by him will be lost. Mere circulation among close friends and associates, notwithstanding, is not considered publication. (See Mansell v. Valley Printing Co., 15 Ann. Cos. 133).
source: Civil Code of the Philippines
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