In this file photo, the Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers (JACAP) Board member, songwriter and recording artiste, Dennis McKay, aka 'Mackie Conscious', deposits a copy of his latest work with a representative from the National Library of Jamaica at one of JACAP's initiatives encouraging members to protect their copyright under the Legal Deposit Act (2002). - file

The Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers (JACAP) is celebrating 10 years of protecting the rights of Jamaican artistes locally and internationally.

A non-profit copyright collecting society, JACAP collectively manages performing rights in musical works by administering rights guaranteed by internationally accepted conventions and granted under the Jamaica Copyright Act of 1993.

Its members, who are composers, authors and music publishers, own JACAP. The organisation was established in March 1998 and commenced operations in January 1999 as a national organisation to take over the operations of the local Performing Rights Society London agency in the collective administration of music copyright in Jamaica.

JACAP was the second recognised national collecting society to be established in the English-speaking Caribbean. From its humble days in the beginning, JACAP membership has grown vastly, a reflection of the growth of the number of persons involved in the entertainment business. According to JACAP's general manager, Charlene Atkinson, the membership has grown from fewer than 100 members in 1999 to more than 2,000 members today.

open house

Atkinson elaborated on the plans for the anniversary saying, "We're planning on having an open house, inviting the public and media to visit our office at Connelly Avenue, Kingston, to enjoy various interactive showcasing of our members' talents and the work of JACAP. Also a members' forum and a free concert towards the end of the year. We will soon be launching our new website and inviting the public to visit us at jacapjamaica.com and on Facebook. We also will be having an essay competition in the schools to promote awareness of the copyright law, the business of music and the importance of valuing our music."

As a member of JACAP, one's introduction to the organisation includes a wide range of topics from the importance of protecting one's intellectual property rights by depositing recorded works with the National Library of Jamaica to the need for a co-writers' agreement and the importance of accurately notifying JACAP of all their works in a timely manner. Also the need to properly register their business' names or incorporate their companies with the Office of the Registrar of Companies.

More importantly, according to Atkinson, JACAP has achieved major goals over the years. One of the major ones being, "a membership of over 2,000 music writers and publishers who are registered with JACAP to administer their rights in Jamaica, the Caribbean and the world. Due to our high standard of service, we have been able to attract this number which includes high profile personalities as well as young aspiring creators of music," Atkinson said.

As well as an increased number of licensed entities, with licensing inspectors now dispatched in the three counties, JACAP has achieved the highest level of compliance of music users and strategic planning that will ensure that this continues to grow to the benefit of its members and affiliates.

reciprocal agreements

Atkinson further stated, "We have maintained and developed an excellent relationship with our international community, concluding a number of reciprocal agreements with major copyright administration entities around the world. By concluding contracts of reciprocal representation, national societies entrust one another with the task of administering their members' rights in each others' territories. Through the exchange of international documentation (that is, information on members, works and agreements), each society is equipped to allocate to rights holders worldwide the royalties accruing to them."

Another major achievement has been the development and participation in training programmes initiated by JACAP, World Intellectual Property Organisation and the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers to commence actively administering other rights, such as mechanical rights and synchronisation rights, which keep JACAP at the top level with the rest of the world and other major older societies.