President of the T&T Copyright Collection Organisation (TTCO), Dr Vijay Ramlal-Rai, said the purported monopoly regarding copyright in this country must be broken as artistes continue to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars, especially around the Carnival season.
Speaking at a press conference held by the TTCO at O’Connor Street, Woodbrook yesterday Ramlal-Rai said performers were also not paid their royalties by another organisation which prompted the TTCO to be formed in 2000.
Regarding the issue of neighbouring rights he said this was a right just as copyright.
In copyright law, related rights (or neighbouring rights) are the rights of a creative work not connected with the work’s actual author.
“There are people who in the highest office who feel that COTT (Copyright Music Organisation of T&T) is a government agency and COTT is not a government agency. It is a private organisation just like we are.
“It is so wrong to have an organisation with intelligence that is going to tell people there is only one right you are paying for...you are paying copyright only,” Ramlal-Rai said, adding that copyright included a “bundle of rights.”
Regarding membership, he said there was a broad spectrum which included soca singers, designers, steelbands, tassa and dance groups.
“Nobody has been collecting money to pay these designers and producers. We are fighting this cause because the performer and the neighbouring rights must be adhered to,” Ramlal-Rai added.
Contacted yesterday, COTT’s chief executive officer, Stephen Wilson, said the organisation has always acted above board.
“COTT is the only organisation in T&T that holds all the reciprocal agreements for all the international works further we have the largest group of members. It is almost impossible to hold any sort of fetes without acquiring a licence from COTT,” Wilson said.
Saying that COTT was very transparent, Wilson added that his organisation is expected to issue a press release on the matter later this week.
CHUTNEY SOCA ISSUES
Ramlal-Rai said the Bollywood melodies which existed in Chutney Soca was not supposed to be a part of the local competition.
“You don’t make a song and put in a Bollywood melody or any other melody and allow taxpayer’s of this country to pay $2 million for a pirated, false competition song.
“We have got to make a stand,” Ramlal-Rai added.
He said if not immediately addressed the government could be accused of “aiding and abetting” in piracy.
“Worst of all, these artists that the melodies are being used have not been compensated, there was not agreement for the work to be used......they have literally taken it and put it into a song making millions,” Ramlal-Rai said.