The Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) Inc has filed legal action against several major music users who have failed to comply with ECCO mandate as the Collective Management Organisation for the Eastern Caribbean region in compliance with Copyright Law.
It is estimated that well over $1Million Eastern Caribbean Dollars in back royalties is owed to ECCO by three regionally based companies including; Kelcom International trading as Karib Cable headquartered in St. Vincent & the Grenadines and operating also in Saint Lucia and Antigua & Barbuda. Dominica’s Cable Company Marpin 2k4 Limited and the Cinema Group, Caribbean Cinemas operating in multiple Caribbean states are all being sued.
ECCO is currently pursuing action against 32 entities across the OECS. ECCO’s General Manager Steve Etienne says “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 organizations they are prohibiting ECCO reaching its mandate and must either comply or stop using ECCO’s repertoire of musical works’.
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 by ECCO continue to grow their businesses from the music content provided by ECCO members and affiliates overseas.