Who does Rivermaya belong to?

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).

Air Supply back again for show

Filipino fans can’t seem to have enough of Air Supply whose forthcoming concert on Oct. 3 at the Araneta Coliseum promises to be truly special and memorable and like no other it has done before.

As its sixth appearance here in the past 25 years, the hotly-awaited musical event marks another important episode in the long and continuing musical ties of the acclaimed soft rock duo with millions of Filipino fans.

And as a further affirmation of this bond of affection, loyalty and support, Air Supply will give music enthusiasts a special treat when it plays for the very first time its latest song, which is due to be released in the US soon.

Titled Dance With Me, the “sneak preview” of the new record before a general audience will be a major feature of the Big Dome concert that will highlight the Philippine leg of Air Supply’s 2009 Southeast Asian tour.

To be mounted by Steve O’Neal Productions, the concert series dubbed as Air Supply: Now & Forever also includes shows at Clark Expo, Pampanga on Oct. 1; Lagao Coliseum, General Santos City on Oct. 2; and Koronadal Cultural Center, Koronadal City on Oct. 12

To be featured as special guests are the phenomenal rockabilly band Bembol Rockers and the sexy girl group Posh.

Incidentally, the concert producer, Danee Samonte (a.k.a. Steve O’Neal in his deejay-ing days), is such a big fan of Air Supply that he named his daughter Russell after Russell Hitchcock (one half of the duo, the other half being Graham Russell).

“That’s how much I value Air Supply,” said Danee/Steve.

(Note: Tickets to the Big Dome concert are priced at P4,752, P4,013, P3,168, P1,584, P845 and P525, and are available at Ticketnet outlets at SM Department Stores and at the Araneta Coliseum ticket office. For inquiries, call Ticketnet at 911-5555.)

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