ECCO adopts new educational approach

General Manager of the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights says that the organisation has adopted a new focus with regards to the education and sensitisation of music users and more attention will be done in the area of licence issuing.

“We have been engaging in education and awareness of the issue to the general public through workshops, seminars and other group sessions since we launched in 2009 and that seems not to be working. So we have adopted the new approach of one-on-one discussions and negotiations with music users as part of our efforts to get them to comply with the law,” said Steve Etienne, who was on a two-day visit to Grenada.

The General Manager said that through this new approach, it is anticipated that more music users will see and understand the reason why they need to get a licence for the various activities in which they are using music.

“The law in Grenada is clear with regard to using music for public display and performance and based on the tariff guidelines, there are events that will require the promoter to get single licence while some will get general blanket annual licence,” he said.


Etienne explained that whether the event is free or paid for entry, the promoter of the event will have to obtain clearance from the Organisation’s agent in the island. “The tariff will be different, but what is clear is that all users’ music be licensed,” he said.

Music users on Tuesday had the opportunity to speak directly with the General Manager and some music owners during a meeting at the UWI Centre.

Grenada’s Copyright Legislation provides for the owners to provide copyright organisations the right to work on their behalf once the work becomes part of the protected repertoire. ECCO, through its direct membership and reciprocal agreement with affiliates such as COTT, BMI and ASCAP, is presently the only collective management society in the sub-region.

Besides the meeting, Mr. Etienne also met with a number of Government ministers and officials including High Command of the Royal Grenada Police Force and the registrar of the Corporate Office of Intellectual Property Affairs. (LS)