Do you know that copyright protection is automatic? Has anyone told you that ideas are not protected until they are recorded in a material form, such as on a piece of paper? Has it occurred to you that you are creating copyright works everyday? These are what the participants of IP Champion Camp 2006 found out.
Between 4 and 6 September 2006, during the one-week school term break, iperckidz organised the annual IP Champion Camp. About 90 students from 38 secondary schools in Singapore spent a fun yet educational time in Singapore Polytechnic learning the concept of copyright. Through quizzes and scenario discussions, the participants realised that, unknown to them, they are facing copyright issues almost everyday! The interactive discussion sessions therefore raised their awareness of copyright and other intellectual property, and helped them understand how they might apply the knowledge to their daily lives.
After a day of fact-gathering, the participants were taught story-boarding and cartoon illustration skills. The sessions were hands-on with the participants putting their artistic skills into good use. With the newly-acquired copyright knowledge, the participants then planned and told what they had learnt about copyright through their very own creations – comic strips.
Besides receiving expert training on story-boarding and cartoon illustration, the participants also heard from professional cartoonist, Mr Travis Low of FUNics Production, and animator Mr Rex Lee of Furryfish Pte Ltd, how cartoons and animations can touch the lives of the people around us. This insightful perspective from the professionals was truly a motivating factor for those who wish to pursue their interest in comic illustrations. Many of the participants were awed by how a simple comic strip or an animation can be used to convey emotions and messages simply and effectively.
The effective application of comic strips is also why this year’s IP Champion Camp project is based on comics. Through comic strips, the concept and application of copyright can be conveyed to readers in a light-hearted yet educational way to achieve greater awareness of copyright – an intellectual property that most students own without being aware of it. So come end of this year, you will find the copyright works of some of the participants of this year’s IP Champion Camp displayed in your secondary school! In the meantime, catch some of the action at the camp through the following photographs. Join us next year so that your creative efforts can also be recognised!
What's catching their interest?
Expert advice by Mr Rex Lee
Sharing of experience by Mr Travis Low
Participant presenting his comics
Know about IP through e-learning
The IP Champions