ECCO Sues For Overdue Royalties

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Music

Friday, 22 April 2011 02:30

By caribarena news

The Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) Inc has filed legal action against three major music users which have allegedly failed to comply with its mandate as the collective management organisation for the region, in compliance with copyright law.

The company has estimated that it is owed over $1 M in back royalties by three regionally based companies, namely Kelcom International, trading as Karib Cable, headquartered in St Vincent & the Grenadines and also operating in St Lucia and Antigua & Barbuda; Dominica’s cable company, Marpin 2k4 Limited; and the Caribbean Cinemas group, operating in multiple Caribbean states.

ECCO is currently pursuing action against 32 entities across the OECS. Its general manager, Steve Etienne, said, “ECCO is unable to achieve its business objective due to the non compliance by businesses whose use of music is central to their operation. By flagrantly breaking the law or attempting to circumvent their responsibilities as good corporate organisations, they are prohibiting ECCO reaching its mandate and must either comply or stop using ECCO’s repertoire of musical works."

A release from the company said, "ECCO is taking the accelerated action against abusers of the rights it administers in response to repeated requests from members and affiliate partners for tougher action.

Whilst it is acknowledged that many ECCO members live close to or below the poverty level and can barely make a living from music, organisations like the companies being sued continue to grow their businesses from the music content provided by ECCO members and affiliates overseas."

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