Stringent actions taken by the Jamaica Music Society (JAMMS), the Jamaica Association of Composers Authors and Publishers (JACAP) and the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JARIA) has resulted in more radio stations across Jamaica getting compliant with the payment of public performance royalties.
#NIPnews has been observing the process as the associations pressed forward in their bid to regularize the process across Jamaica. A report carried on Link Up Radio New York website May 14, 2013 stated that the US Trade Representatives (USTR) listed Jamaica as one of the ‘rogue countries’ that remain on a Special 301 Watch List highlighting inadequate payment of public performance royalties as the reason Jamaica is included on the list.
February 2012 the Jamaica Association of Composers Authors and Publishers (JACAP) reported that a number of radio stations, hotels, sound systems and nightclubs have not been handing over royalties to the association, Pay Us Please one newspaper wrote highlighting the association’s head Steve Golding disclosure that only 30% of the users of intellectual property hae handed over royalties with a few exception. In another local newspaper Disc jocks say paying royalties is unfair and that they should be exempt. This after one songwriter and publisher said that ‘Disc Jocks’ should be made to pay for songs they play at events as they would have been paid for their services,” the story headlined.
June 2013, General Manager Evon Mullings at the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JARIA) said that “Jamms as well as other collecting societies recognises this problem and is now exploring some of the reasons for the discrepancies and how it could be fixed” click to read more
The Good News
But in a recent telephone conversation with Mr Evon Mullings at JAMMS, NIPnews has learnt that more radio stations are getting regularized he said, “radio stations have and radio stations are complying with our rules.”
This is a major step toward correcting some issues the local music industry is faced with. This systematic approach can only result in a more productive industry that will benefit everyone involved.
By: Sophia McKay
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