RIATT Launches Attack On Intellectual Property Office.

Monday July 7th 2008

The Recording Industry Association of Trinidad and Tobago would like to express its dissatisfaction and frustration with the ambivalent attitude of the Ministry of Legal affairs Intellectual Property Office.

The IPO has accomplished notable achievements in the field of Trade Marks and Patents, however as far as Copyrights and Neighboring Rights are concerned, this administration has failed to deliver. Failure of the IPO to properly administer its mandate has resulted in;
• Rampant vending of illegal CDs and DVDs
•Producers and Performers not being remunerated for broadcasts and public performances
• Lack of protection for creative content within the digital environment including the internet

After four (4) years of procrastination, the Copyright Amendment Bill 2008 was finally passed. The bill supports the right for Owners of Sound Recordings, Owners of Audio Visual works and Performers to be financially compensated from the Broadcasts and Communication to the Public of their recordings and performances. However this right can only be exercised when Trinidad and Tobago becomes a signatory to the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT). It is article 15 of WPPT which out lines the “Right to Remuneration for Broadcasting and Communication to the Public.”

We have been in discussions with the IPO and were promised that the treaty would be signed by end of September 2008. “A Promise is comfort to a fool. From past experiences, we have no confidence in this office and cannot take their word for it”.

RIATT’s position has always been a proactive one. We have consistently taken a cordial approach in dealing with the IPO, which has not yielded any results. However, we firmly believe one of the ways to see results is by applying constant pressure. This is the approach we will take from this day forward.

For further information contact:
Fabien Alfonso
Email: info@riatt.org
1-868-682-8174