Mark: We must stop Carnival photos being sold abroad

OPPOSITION Senator Wade Mark has called for a legislative amendment to address people taking photographs of Carnival events and performers and then selling them abroad.

He was contributing to debate on the Copyright (Amendment) Bill in the Senate on Tuesday.

He called for Government to revisit the copyright definition of "works of mas."

"There are still loopholes that allow people to come into the country, take photos of the mas, pan and (calypsonians), and sell them abroad, and (the creators) get no royalties for their creativity."

He said a revisiting of the definition of works of mas was necessary to protect this country's very inventive and innovative product.

He stressed the entertainment industry and copyright sector are critical during this time of covid19, and the increased protection for audiovisual performances provided by this bill is critical to local artistes. He pointed out that the new legislation has expanded to include comedians, dancers and actors, the latter becoming able to get economic rewards and earn royalties. Mark said a greater stream of royalties will trigger development, employment and economic transformation.

"It will improve the status quo of our audiovisual performers in this country. It would propel economic development."

He pointed out a study by economist Dr Vanus James for the World Intellectual Property Organisation on the contribution of the copyright sector and the entertainment industry found the contribution to TT to be five per cent of GDP, or $8.3 billion. He said 40,000 or so people employed in the industry were also making a valuable contribution to employment levels.

He also called for the establishment of a specialised unit for intellectual property rights, as more attention needed to be paid to enforcing copyright law.

Mark also urged the Government to put on the curriculum the subjects of innovation, creativity and invention. He said there are geniuses in this country who have not been given the opportunity and nurturing necessary.

"In our country we have a lot of piracy of very important works of art. We need greater protection," he stressed.

Independent Senator Anthony Vieira in his contribution said that oil and gas and the manufacturing sector had served the country well, but the greatest resource remained the human capital, which has not been fully tapped. He said those involved in pan, calypso, chutney, mas, filmmaking and writing should all be major players in the economy and earning foreign exchange.