Law allows use of pen names

Dear PAO,
I would like to seek advice on the legal use of pen names. I am a children’s book writer and I have been using a pen name for the past couple of years. I have heard that there is a law penalizing the usurpation and improper use of one’s name. I want to know whether I have violated it considering my use of a pen name. I hope you can give me advice on this matter. Thank you and God bless.
Edson

Dear Edson,
The use of pen names is not an uncommon practice and it is even recognized and allowed under Philippine laws but subject to specific limitations. According to the Civil Code of the Philippines:

“Article 379. The employment of pen names or stage names is permitted, provided it is done in good faith and there is no injury to third persons. Pen names and stage names cannot be usurped.”

As this law expressly provides, use of pen names is legally permitted under Philippine laws. Thus, you may use a pen name for your work as a writer as long as it is done in good faith and with no harm to other persons. Furthermore, the cited provision provides that the pen name you are using is protected by law and cannot be usurped considering that you have a vested right in its use (Melencio Sta Maria, Persons And Family Relations Law, 2010).

With regard to your concern on the improper use of one’s name in relation to your use of a pen name, you have nothing to worry about since the use of a pen name is generally not considered improper as already explained above. Likewise, the law penalizing usurpation of a name does not apply to your case since use of a pen name is not a usurpation of a name unless you are using the name of another person as your pen name. Thus, while you may use a pen name as a writer, make sure that the pen name you are using is not the name of an existing person.

Again, we find it necessary to mention that this opinion is solely based on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. The opinion may vary when the facts are changed or elaborated.

We hope that we were able to enlighten you on the matter.

Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public Attorney’s Office. Questions for Chief Acosta may be sent to dearpao@manilatimes.net

No crime committed by custodian’s sibling over ‘stolen’ certificate of title

Dear PAO,
My parents are gone and being the oldest child, my siblings agreed that I will be the custodian of all certificates of title of their pieces of property. One of our siblings, however, who is so greedy, got one of the certificates without my permission during the celebration of the death anniversary of our father in my house and now he is refusing to return it. I want to pursue a case against him. What is the proper case to file? Is it theft or robbery?
Alex

Dear Alex,
The crimes of theft and robbery are both punishable under Crimes Against Property of Title XX of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). Both crimes pertain to the taking of personal property of another without the latter’s consent and with intent to gain. If the taking was committed without violence against, or intimidation of persons or force upon things, the crime committed is theft pursuant to Article 308 of the RPC. On the other hand, if the taking was committed with violence against, or intimidation of persons or force upon things, the proper crime to be charged is robbery pursuant to Article 293 of the same law.

The crimes of theft and robbery, however, are not the proper cases that may be filed against your sibling who, according to you, had got one of the certificates of title pertaining to the pieces of property of your deceased parents without your permission. One of the elements of theft and robbery is the taking of personal property of another and this essential element for both crimes are lacking in your case. It is important to note that the pieces of property covered by the certificates of title in your possession belong to your deceased parents. As such, these are co-owned by you and your siblings. The co-ownership of these pieces of property is based on your right as successor or heir of your parents. Since these pieces of property have not yet been divided, you and your siblings have the equal right over each of the pieces of property. Thus, being a co-owner of what were left by your parents, you cannot file a case either for theft or robbery against the sibling who allegedly got one of the certificates of titles in your care.

We suggest that you file a case for partition in court instead. This case for partition shall have the effect of dividing all the pieces of property of your parents to the latter’s heirs thereby preventing incidents like what happened during the commemoration of the death anniversary of your father. Nevertheless, you may try to have a settlement on your own, wherein you may agree by yourselves the division of these pieces of property through the execution of a deed of extra-judicial settlement.

We hope that we have answered your query. Our legal opinion may vary if other facts are stated or elaborated.

Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public Attorney’s Office. Questions for Chief Acosta may be sent to dearpao@manilatimes.net

source:  Manila Times