Copyright protects work, not ideas alone, creators told [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian intellectual property lawyer has clarified that copyright safeguards original creative work in a tangible form, not mere ideas. Speaking on Beyond the Headlines ahead of World Animation Day, Mahendra Balakrishnan emphasized that a work must be expressed in a material form like a drawing, script, photograph, or film to be eligible for copyright protection.

He advised creators to document their work, secure digital files, and restrict sharing of concepts before taking measures to protect them. Mahendra also highlighted the importance of understanding contract rights, especially the difference between licensing and assigning copyright, before allowing others to utilize their work. Licensing grants another party the right to use the work under specified conditions, whereas assignment transfers copyright or specified rights as outlined in the agreement.

He cautioned creators about unauthorized commercial exploitation of their work, including reproductions and adaptations of existing characters or designs. When it comes to generative artificial intelligence (AI), Mahendra noted that Malaysia's copyright framework remains human-centric, with authorship and human contribution still crucial in determining intellectual property rights.

Proposed amendments to the Copyright Act 1987 are expected to address emerging issues, including generative AI. Meanwhile, WAU Animation co-founder and Agent Ali creator Muhammad Usama Zaid explained that creating a successful animation property extends beyond producing a series or film, as characters and stories can be expanded into merchandise and other commercial ventures.

He stressed the importance of telling the right story, creating the right characters, and building visibility to enable expansions. Usama, who initially aimed to work for Pixar, Disney, or DreamWorks during his animation studies, redirected his focus to building Malaysia's animation industry after an opportunity to develop a local animated feature.

Less than a year after graduation, he and friends established a studio to work on Geng: Pengembaraan Bermula, which he saw as a stepping stone for Upin & Ipin. His industry experience influenced the development of Agent Ali, focusing on the potential for an animated property to transcend television and film. The studio dealt with unauthorized distribution of Agent Ali The Movie 2, including recordings shown in cinemas that were later shared on Telegram or edited into shorter TikTok clips.

Unlicensed merchandise, especially when sellers copied images of Agent Ali characters onto clothing, bags, and other products, was another concern. Usama differentiated such commercial activity from fan art, where artists create their own interpretations of characters. While fan art can show appreciation, selling products with copied images generates revenue without the studio's authorization.

On AI, Usama expressed concerns beyond copyright infringement, warning that reliance on AI without developing fundamental skills could limit opportunities for experimentation, problem-solving, and refining work. He cautioned creators against becoming overly protective of their ideas, potentially hindering feedback. When developing Agent Ali, the team relied on a circle of trusted individuals for candid feedback and identified weaknesses.

They underwent numerous revisions, feedback sessions, and brainstorming exercises before the first episode's release. Usama emphasized that young artists should be recognized for their work even before commercial success, as creative fields are often viewed as secondary to other disciplines. World Animation Day is commemorated annually on October 28.