COTT to DJs: Get licensed

STAFF of the Copyright Organisation (COTT) are telling DJs intent on playing music during Carnival 2019 and beyond to ensure they are properly licensed.

The organisation last week set up its office at the National Carnival Commission's One Stop Shop at the Dame Lorraine Suite at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain, along with the TT Copyright Collection Organisation (TTCO) and Awesome Copyright of TT.

The public will be informed of new requirements implemented by these agencies. Enrico Camejo, media mechanical and digital licence specialist at COTT, yesterday said, in order for DJs to play at events, their annual licences must now carry photos.

"Failure to do so will result in their licence (contract) being cancelled, which won't only affect them for the Carnival, but the rest of the year. It also means if their licence is cancelled then their music trucks' ability to participate in events is severely compromised, if not altogether stopped."

Explaining the reason for the new rules, he said, "What we found, in the past, was that licences were being photocopied and used by DJs to play at events on the same day or night, simultaneously.

There is nothing wrong with a DJ playing at one fete and then going to another to play. What's unfair to the songwriters, composers and authors is when they are cheated out of royalties because of a few persons not following the law according to their licence."

Sound system companies must pay an annual fee to license a company, and half of that fee for each DJ playing with him/her. Funds raised through these licence fees go towards royalties to COTT's registered members.

Camejo said representatives from both COTT and the NCC will be on the ground monitoring DJs during Carnival.

COTT's presence at the shop was confirmed yesterday a release from the NCC, which also said the NCC had decided to take a "firm stance this year on minimizing copyright and intellectual property rights laws infringements through greater inclusion and the timely sharing of critical information.

It said the one stop shop registration programme was designed to help all bandleaders (junior, senior and J'Ouvert) get and submi the necessary documents to take part in the Parade of the Bands and J'Ouvert in Port of Spain.

Particular focus is also being placed on protecting the copyright and intellectual property rights of masqueraders and live performers. For the first time, at least one agency will focus on protecting the rights of a masquerader or live performer in any reproduction of performances, particularly photos and video footage taken by international media, if it is intended to be used commercially.

The local media were also cautioned by TTCO to be more mindful of the rights of masqueraders and performers with regard to photos to be used in Carnival magazines.

TTCOpresident Dr Vijay Ramlal said, "All of this is in the (Copyright) act; some of it has just not been implemented. We are intent on protecting the works of mas of masqueraders and live performers. This is certainly a good gesture by the NCC for implementing the shop so TTCO will be able to better protect works of mas more effectively."

The public can also access information there on acquiring the required permits and authorisation from agencies such as public health, the police and motor vehicle licensing, and the necessary documents to do so.