Step aside, copycats, there's a new movement in town.

PT_08022016-333.jpgKenneth Cobonpue, Bea Valdes, Wynn Wynn Ong, Ed Calma

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But when you’ve painstakingly toiled hour after hour, day after day over a creation borne of an authentically inventive mind, heart, and soul—flattered is the last thing the imitated feels.

Try shock, indignation, and frustration. “We needed an association like this,” said bag and accessory designer Bea Valdes, gesturing to her fellow violated creative luminaries in the room—jewellery designer Wynn Wynn Ong, furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue and architect Ed Calma. Also assembled in the room were Ong’s legal advisors, Leslie Anne Cruz and Peter Calimag of Cesar C Cruz & Associates, and Valdes’ sister and business manager, Marga Valdes-Trinidad. “Now we can move forward,” continued Valdes, who, despite her sweet demeanour, clearly meant business.

PT_08022016-334.jpgA sprawling private home designed by Calma showcasing his trademark architectural flow

The first of many to come, this congregation of co-founding core group members set the cogs of the wheels in motion for positive change towards a united front that previously didn’t exist in the Philippines. Being innovative pioneers in their respective fields and victims of imitation themselves, the group’s objectives are to spread public awareness of a designer’s intellectual property, value, and rights, and to publicly stand against artistic copyright infringement as well as for the protection of the integrity of design.

Setting personal issues and feelings aside, the infringement on intellectual property, unfortunately, also impacts the branding and financials. This is what has been emphatically vexing for those present at the inauguralmeeting. “The copies became so rampant that clients didn’t want to buy or wear the originals because they didn’t want to look the same [as everyone else],” said Valdes with a shrug.

PT_08022016-335.jpgValdes' brilliantly bold clutches

“At what point do you make a stand, a united stand?” asked Ong, whose sheer exasperation and oft unsettled dialogue with Valdes over the past few years eventually led to the formation of this coalition. “Bea shared Kenneth’s struggles with me, and so at the beginning of June, I called him about our idea to form this group. I then asked Ed to join us and here we are,” explained Ong.

Cobonpue’s industry is rife with imitations of his work and he has in fact racked up a few IP infringement cases along the way, one of which he recently won, recompensed for damages and the merchandise promptly destroyed. A happy ending that Cobonpue, who flew in just for the primary discussions, was more than eager to share as proof of his steely resolve. The thorn in Calma’s side, meanwhile, is an impersonator who not only shares exactly the same name as him but ironically, the same commercial space and trade. “He poses as me and some of my clients have even met him!” said Calma with an incredulous laugh.

PT_08022016-339.jpgCobonpue's intricate Eclipse tricycle

“This supersedes everything,” explained Ong, jumping in. “You need to put weight and passion into your babies. Just like birth, it’s a process. But how do you protect that? A lot of designers don’t know what their intellectual property rights are and that they can avail of protection.”

Addressing such territory is the group’s one true purpose. Banding together and lending their names to this cause to create awareness is a powerful means to an end and a multiplier effect is the participation and support of the media, which they are actively seeking. “As better known entities,” shared Ong, “we want to support the people in the creative industry. We believe in our craft and what we do.” And to the just tune of “We just won’t let it slide anymore,” she shared its mission-vision:

“We believe that the creativity and thought that goes into any concept, product, or endeavour is the sole intellectual property of its creator and should be respected by all others. We believe that a united stand for the protection of one’s rights is necessary to raise awareness of the value of one’s intellectual property.”

PT_08022016-337.jpg
The fabulous nautilus handbag and All Bark No Bite cuff, both by Ong, graced the cover of Women's Wear Daily

As of yet, the entity remains unnamed but the four have rallied well, and though identities cannot as such be revealed, many have eagerly stepped forward in unanimous support. And to those imitators, plagiarists, and counterfeiters out there, take heed: It’s called originality. You should try it some time.