COTT members call for ‘Special Meeting’

Wednesday March 16th 2011

The members of the Copyright Music Organization of Trinidad and Tobago (COTT) have received information that COTT is deducting more than necessary amounts of money from gross income for the administration of its duties.

According to a report sanctioned by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a copyright collection society can only be deemed viable, if the administration fee for the management of performance and broadcasting rights remain within a reasonable range of around 30%.

The members of COTT have at their disposal, a report showing percentages deducted by COTT from broadcast and general distribution income for the period 2006 to 2009. Below are some details.

It's evidently clear COTT deducts a management fee that's 100% above the stipulated 30% as recommended by WIPO and as a consequence can be seen as not being a viable a collecting society which is of little or no benefit to its members.

As such, in accordance with COIT's statutes, the members are requesting a special meeting to achieve the following:
(1) Written and oral explanation as to why COTT deducts a lot more money than they should for administration of its duties. .

(2) A vote of no confidence to remove the existing board and subsequent vote in of an interim one.

If within twenty one (21) days the Board of directors does not convene a meeting, the members are constitutionally entitled to call the meeting.

The letter was sent on Monday March 14th in which COTT has (21) days to respond. Letters were also sent to various artiste representative organizations including the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Calypso Organization (TUCO) Pantrinbago and newly formed Trinidad and Tobago Chutney Artiste Association (TTCAA)

For further information contact:
Fabien Alfonso
Email: info@riatt.org
1-868- 707-0400