ECCO seeks to Upgrade its Operations

Citing new trends in the music industry, the chairman of the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) Inc., has urged members to be more resourceful in taking on the challenges that lay ahead.

Underlying the theme: “Let Us Do It Right”, ECCO Inc. held its 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM), last weekend.

ECCO Chairman David Jordan told the membership that he was pleased with the “timely manner” that successive annual reports from 2019 to 2022 were presented, so as, “to arrest the culture of the malaise of the past at the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) Inc.,” whereby Financial Reports were previously delivered within a two or sometimes three-year lag.

He noted that this effort will greatly enhance the efficiency of ECCO’s operations.

“This ought to include the ‘mindset’ for the possibility of future planning, and should not be limited to the distribution of royalties to its members,” stated Jordan.

“ECCO will adopt a digital system ‘UN WIPO Connect’ this year, to manage the distribution of royalties more promptly and transparently. The business of ECCO is yours and you need to attend to its business affairs,” he said.

The ECCO chairman said such achievements do not come easily. He acknowledged the input of several persons in this endeavour, which included staffers, the accounting consultant, the auditor, and the guidance and cooperation of the Officer in Charge that “contributed wisely and effectively with immense effort”.

Notwithstanding, he said, this proud achievement was amidst a tumultuous year of challenges for the Board of Directors.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has ceased, but ECCO was without the services of a CEO and also a highly experienced Operations Manager; followed by the resignation of a dedicated Board Secretary. This was also coupled with the unionization of staff and its ongoing negotiations,” Jordan explained.

He added: “The challenges are not imagined. Having set goals because of the cessation of the impact of COVID-19, and the reopening of global markets, this was followed by the Ukraine crisis which also has its impact on the music industry- The Caribbean is no exception.”

Said Jordan: “During 2022, we witnessed new trends in the music industry. Consumption of music globally was reflected on (i) Internet-based platforms at an estimated sixty-four (64) % while, (ii) non-internet-based platforms were estimated at thirty-seven (37) %- [Source: IFPI].

He said members must be aware “that there is an even greater need to work with your organisation. It is in this endeavour of working together that projects like (a) Education and Sensitization of Copyright Industry Stakeholders, (b) Contingency Fund Structures, and (c) Legislative Goals of ECCO would be very relevant to the growth and development of our members, to take on the trend and challenges of digitalisation of the music industry.”

The ECCO chairman noted that presently, there is need for greater advocacy from the organisation and members must be equipped “with the resources, knowledge, experience, and expertise needed to combat the trend of the music industry and to poise to exploit the possibilities to come. This experience proves that it is not the same business as yesteryear.”

Added Jordan: “Our advocacy calls for the revisit of our relations with our respective stakeholders. It calls for governments in the sub-region to see the music industry as a contributor to Gross Domestic Product, and the economic and social growth in the sub-region.

There is a need to adopt better legislation so as to strengthen our copyright law and other musical rights laws, manage the music industry, and enhance policies directed for the benefit of the creators mainly the youth, as well as those who created the current platform.”

He queried as to why so many users do not pay their licenses.

Additionally, he said, governments appear “so hesitant to create the proper legislative and policy environment with enforceable laws”.

Furthermore, Jordan quipped, “Why can’t we get the Broadcast Bill enacted in the sub-region after almost two decades of consultation, and the increase of broadcasting entities in the respective jurisdictions in the sub-region? This will certainly help us to improve our creators’ revenue streams, and members benefit more handsomely with greater transparency and sustainability- Let Us Do It Right!”

Kimani .F. Goddard, PhDc, Senior Intellectual Property & Investment Law Specialist delivered an enlightening feature address to the audience.

Her presentation highlighted, “the importance of collective management and copyright in transforming music and the creative industries into a competitive trade sector for all stakeholders”.

Ms. Goddard noted that the exercise takes into context, the creative works of authors, composers and performers “as economic actors with potential to boost international trade competitiveness and revenues in the sub-region.”

She explained that International Copyright Law- Foundation of cross-border music trade takes into account the following components – The Bernie Convention for the Protection of Literary & Artistic works; the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyrights Treaty; the WIPO Performance & Phonograms Treaty; the TRIPS Agreement; and the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances.