Long before the first beat drops, Jimmy Pelikat is already at work — fighting silent battles for rights, recognition, and creative control. Behind every track, he’s building a future where Sarawak’s music scene owns its voice.
Jimmy Pelikat and the power of IP
By the time most of us hear a new song or watch a music video, the final product feels effortless — slick, catchy, and ready to be played on repeat.
But for Jimmy Pelikat, a 44-year-old Iban producer, composer, and video director, every track’s story begins long before it hits our speakers — with imagination, collaboration, and increasingly, paperwork.
From his creative headquarters at WaveMix Production, the company he founded and runs, Jimmy wears multiple hats: composing melodies, directing visuals, and shaping the identity of artists across Sarawak’s growing music scene.
But this multi-talented figure knows better than most that creativity alone isn’t enough to sustain a career in music. To truly thrive, artists must also understand — and fiercely protect — their intellectual property (IP).
As the world marks World IP Day today, Jimmy’s journey offers a clear-eyed look at how IP rights support not just individual creators but entire communities of musicians striving to make their mark.
This year’s theme, “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP”, underscores how copyright, contracts, and ownership aren’t just legal jargon — they’re the beat behind every thriving music career.
Crafting sound with purpose
Jimmy’s creative process doesn’t start with a beat or a melody. It started with the artist — he analysed their personality, appearance, and how they deliver a song.
“I don’t just compose music — I make sure the melody and lyrics fit their unique style,” he opened up the conversation.
It’s a deeply intuitive approach, but one grounded in years of experience. And once a composition is ready, he’s just as meticulous about protecting it.
“Before sharing any work, I make sure I thoroughly know and trust the person I’m collaborating with. If we agree to move forward, we sign a formal sworn statement to legally protect the work,” explained the Kanowit-born.
In a world where music drafts can be leaked, copied, or misused with a few taps on a phone, such safeguards are essential.
It’s not just about credit — it’s about ownership, and Jimmy ensures every composition is backed by official documentation.
As a producer, he’s encountered his fair share of confusion around who actually owns a song or a beat.
“At WaveMix, all songs are owned by the company. The rights and revenue belong to WaveMix — not the producer, singer, or anyone else,” he said.
This often surprises independent artists or composers, who assume they retain ownership even after a song is sold or released under another label.
But as Jimmy puts it, “It’s like buying a car on loan — the car belongs to the bank until it’s fully paid off. Similarly, when WaveMix funds the production, the company retains ownership.”
This model isn’t just about control. It’s about sustainability. By centralising ownership and managing legal rights under one roof, WaveMix can ensure that all its music assets are protected, monetised, and promoted fairly.
When the beat gets ripped
Of course, not every artist or content creator respects those boundaries. Jimmy has experienced firsthand what happens when his work — be it music or video — is used without permission.
“I usually start by reaching out to the person directly and explaining that it’s a copyright violation. If that doesn’t work, I report it to YouTube and issue a copyright strike,” he said.
While the platform’s procedures vary, creators like Jimmy have become savvy at navigating the dispute system.
“It’s not about being petty — it’s about protecting the work you’ve poured your heart into,” he added.
That protective instinct now extends to every artist Jimmy works with. At WaveMix, legal support isn’t an afterthought — it’s part of the production process.
At WaveMix, contracts, memoranda of agreement, and official ownership transfers aren’t optional extras — they’re standard practice. In addition, they also offer legal advice so that artists know their rights from day one.
When directing a music video, Jimmy applied the same philosophy.
“The direction, storyline, footage — it all belongs to the company. This keeps things consistent and avoids disputes later,” he pointed out.
To ensure everyone’s on the same page, every project begins with a full briefing.
“We sit down with the artists, models, makeup artists, crew — everyone — and go over roles, payments, and expectations. Then we sign a formal agreement,” he explained.
An IP awakening in Sarawak
For all the structures WaveMix has put in place, Jimmy believed the wider Sarawakian creative scene still has a long way to go in understanding the value of IP.
“Many artists, singers, and entertainers just don’t know enough about it.
“It’s not because they don’t care — it’s because no one has guided them. There’s a real need for education around copyright and ownership,” he said.
He spoke from experience. Early in his career, Jimmy focused on singing without understanding royalties or legal protections.
“If I had known then what I know now, I would’ve secured my music — I lost countless opportunities simply because I didn’t know better,” he said.
Today, he’s determined to make sure that doesn’t happen to others.
“At WaveMix, we document everything. Royalties can be collected for up to 50 years. That’s long-term security for artists,” he said.
Jimmy’s reflections also offer a glimpse into how the music industry has transformed.
Back then, he said, royalties came from physical sales — DVDs, VCDs, CDs, videos, and cassettes. There were no standard agreements, and artists’ work was often misused.
Platforms like YouTube have opened new doors — but they’ve also introduced new challenges. That’s why Jimmy insists on sworn declarations, copyrights, and contracts for every project.
“The digital era demands it,” he pointed out.
At the heart of it all, Jimmy is an artist. But he’s also a businessman. As the director of WaveMix, he manages a brand that thrives on balancing creative innovation with commercial strategy.
It started with building a strong team — directors, managers, and crew — people who can help the company grow through solid networking and a shared vision.
Then came the marketing: developing products that strike a balance between creativity and affordability, making WaveMix accessible without compromising on quality.
And finally, there’s management. For Jimmy, it’s all about maintaining a professional image, because in this industry, reputation isn’t just important — it’s everything.
Feel the beat of IP
This year’s World IP Day reminds us that the music we love doesn’t just appear — it’s made, owned, protected, and powered by rights that ensure its creators can continue to thrive.
Jimmy’s story proves that in Sarawak, the beat of IP is growing louder — and more artists are finally learning how to move to it.
“Music is expression. But ownership? That’s what lets you make a living from it,” he concluded.
And with WaveMix leading the charge, the future of Sarawakian music is not just creative — it’s protected.
