St. John’s, Antigua & Barbuda, 17th January, 2020
The July-December 2019 Royalty Amnesty for music users in Antigua and Barbuda has come to an end. Following a visit by an executive team from the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organization (ECCO) Inc. to Antigua & Barbuda from June 12th to 15th, 2019, ECCO announced a six-month Royalty Amnesty which came to an end as of 31st December, 2019.
The resumption of Licensing by ECCO’s Agent for the use of copyright commenced as of January 1st, 2020. ECCO is encouraging music users (businesses, promoters, broadcasters etc.) to obtain the necessary copyright clearance for the commercial use of copyright music.
The amnesty was granted to provide music users with the opportunity to prepare for the royalty payments in the coming year as most, especially promoters indicated that royalty payments were not factored into their budget.
ECCO is mandated by its members, and its agreements with international copyright societies, to collect and distribute royalties to the rightsholders whose works are being used at business locations and events. It is understood that music will be used, and authors and music publishers must be paid. ECCO is therefore the internationally regulated, one-stop-shop for both music creatives and music users in Antigua and Barbuda.
It is important to note that ECCO does not only protect its membership but also the music users. ECCO protects music users by providing the license for the use of copyright music safe guarding them from infringing on the copyright of the owners and possible legal action for such infringement by the rights holders.
We want to take this opportunity to thank our many licensees who respect the rights of our members it is our hope for 2020 to see more support and compliance from music users across the region.
To obtain your license contact ECCO’s resident Licensing Agent – Bernard “Bernie” DeNully at telephone number 1 (268) 779-2935 or email antiguaagent@eccorights.com.
The Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) Inc. (formerly HMS) is a non-profit company incorporated under the Company laws of Saint Lucia duly registered as an external company in OECS territories of Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We are responsible for the collection of royalties on behalf of our members and affiliates (the composers, authors, publishers of music).
Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) Inc.
Email: ecco@eccorights.org
Website: www.eccorights.org
