The Government of Dominica is now in the process of undertaking a programme geared at developing export of audio visual material and other cultural activities in Dominica.
In light of this, Chairman of the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO), McCarthy Marie, has taken upon himself to educate local organisations engaged in the production of audio visual material, of the need to do so carefully to avoid infringing on anyone’s right.
On Monday, April 19, 2011, staff of the Government Information Service (GIS) was engaged in a workshop on “copyright and audio visual productions” which dealt with the rights of production companies in filming and editing productions.
“The Government of Dominica has just unveiled, I think last year, a new national export strategy. Some of the things that are identified as potential exports from Dominica include cultural activities which will be music, film, craft et cetera. All of these things are protected by copyright and derived value from copyright. The productions of these things are copyright activities.”
Marie says there is often a misconception about who should grant permission to audio visual recording companies to film performances.
During the workshop, Marie made it clear that it’s not the organiser of the event that has the right to grant permission to film such performances but rather the performers themselves.
“I see lots of production of concerts and events where, clearly, the persons doing the fixation did not seek authorisation from the performers or any performer in order to fix their performance. Generally, it is not the organiser of the event who has the right; the rights belong to the performers. When it says performers, it means actually all the performers on the stage.”
Marie cautions that if production companies fail to adhere to these guidelines they could stand the risk of being sued or not having their productions broadcast or sold.
“One thing, they could have their productions blocked being unable to show them anywhere. Secondly, of course, they could be facing lawsuits, not only from local owners where works are incorporated in the productions but also foreigners’ works because foreigners’ works are protected in Dominica as well. They need to be mindful of the whole practise of the trade. Each activity has certain rules and norms that govern it and if you are going to participate in it, you need to learn how these things happen.”
The O.E.C.S Secretariat has asked the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to conduct a study to measure the impact of the copyright industry on the O.E.C.S economies.
Marie is serving as economist on the five man team currently conducting that study within the O.E.C.S.
The study being led by Professor Dr. Vanus James of the University of Technology in Jamaica should be completed by June this year.
The study, which began in August last year, when completed, will serve as important inputs to promoting growth and development of the creative industries within the O.E.C.S countries.
Good job Mac. Stay on top. Another job well done by a former SMA student.
Good job, but DA needs it’s own “Society of Composers, Artists, Producers and Authors of Dominica”…SCAPAD….work needs to be done on that.
mr always there with a copyright story… leaving your home all kind of time coming and macko jam to see if they playing ophelia songs lol … garcon chen kow quiet eh … i wonder how many artist collect royalties from all those copyright undertaking you pursuing all du vah ju lol lol
well for one triple kay can collect no royalties cause they use other ppl songs to make there s hahaha
To answer your question, please read below:
The Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) Inc. on Thursday 12th August 2010, distributed royalties to its members and affiliates around the world for performances of their music in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
This is the first payout from the organization (formerly HMS) from funds raised under ECCO and relate to royalties collected from music users in 2009.
Members and affiliates will share in a total payout of approximately EC$200,000.00 with $45,300.00 being paid direct to ECCO members in the form of Allocations and the balance, being paid on performance details provided by radio stations and major live events such as St. Lucia jazz.
This came from a DNO article posted on August 17, 2010.