Monday 22nd October 2007

The Recording Industry Association of Trinidad and Tobago (RIATT) wishes to alert its members of the availability of funds collected on their behalf by an international collection agency known as Sound Exchange.

All members of RIATT are asked to contact the organization’s secretariat at1-868 638-5405 to commence the necessary paper work for the collection of these royalties. RIATT is also willing to facilitate non- members in receiving their royalties. Those interested can contact Fabien Alfonso at 1-868-682- 8174 for further information.

Sound Exchange is the United States performance rights organization, authorized to collect and distribute digital performance royalties for Record Producers, Singers and Musicians). Sound Exchange has agreed to disburse royalties to our local Record Producers and Performers.

RIATT is not a Collection Agency. Our role is to assisting, the individuals entitled to payment receive their royalties. We have taken the initiative to inform local Record Labels and Performers of the availability of these funds collected by Sound Exchange.

RIATT was informed by Sound Exchange that there are two periods from which royalties are yet to be collected. In order of priority the period April 1, 2000 and October 31, 2002. The deadline date for disbursement of these royalties has now been extended to December 15th, 2007. Please note December 15th is the deadline by which if no monies are claimed, all monies will be lost.

In addition, Sound Exchange posted a list of the names of recording artists who stand to lose royalties for digital transmissions of recordings from February 1996 through March 2000. A reserve has been created with Thirty percent (30%) of monies from the undistributed royalties accumulated from digital performances between February 1996 and March 31, 2000 that are being released as unclaimed funds.

Artists and labels (rights owners) have access to the reserve funds on a first-come, first-served basis. The 30% fund does not currently have an expiration date but once the balance of those funds have been paid out; no additional payments will be made.

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