RIATT Supports Newly formed Neighboring/Related Rights Organization.

Friday May 9th 2008

The Recording Industry Association of Trinidad and Tobago (RIATT) fully endorses the establishment of newly formed Neighboring/Related Rights Organization known as ReRAPP.

What is the meaning of ReRAPP?
The Acronym ReRAPP means Related Rights Agency for Producers and Performers. ReRAPP is an organization representing the rights of Owners of Sound Recordings, Owners of Audio Visual Works and Performers in Trinidad and Tobago.

What is ReRAPP’s function?
ReRAPP’s immediate task will be to execute the undertakings of a collective management of rights agency, authorized to license and collect license fees for the public performance, and broadcasting of Sound Recordings and Audio Visual Works.

The collected fees will be then distributed as royalty payments to its members the (Owner’s of Sound Recordings), (Owners of Audio Visual Works) and Performers (One who performs on recordings)

Why do we need ReRAPP?
The exclusive rights granted to producers and performers are evidently overlooked and neglected in Trinidad and Tobago. Under the laws of Related Rights Performers, Owners Sound Recordings and Audio Visual works hold the right to be financially compensated for the Public Performance, Broadcasting and Communication to the public of their creative contributions.

The passing of the Copyright Amendment Bill 2008 signifies the first step towards the exercising of this right. Pending Trinidad and Tobago’s accession to the World Intellectual Property Organization, Performances and Phonograms treaty (WPPT), ReRAPP will then have the supporting legal environment to facilitate its members in embracing the economic rewards from their creative contributions.

Some Basic benefits of the WPPT?
(1) Financial Compensation
This treaty updates the right for right holders to be financially compensated for the the Public Performance, Broadcasting and Communication to the public of their recordings and performances.
(2) Protection
It provides protection against unauthorized copying of recordings and performances in the face of new technologies including the internet.
(3) Moral Right for Performers.
This treaty grants the performer a ‘moral right.’ i.e. to be identified as the performer of a recording or performance and to object to any use of his performance that may harm his reputation.

ReRAPP’s Frequently Asked Questions.

Who is a Performer?
The singers and musicians who performs on Sound recordings.

Who is the Owner of a Sound Recording and an Audio visual work?
The private companies and individuals that has the exclusive rights under The Copyright Act to grant licenses for the public performance,communication to the public and broadcasting of their sound recordings and audio visual works.

What are Related Rights?
Related rights are rights related to copyright. They are the exclusive rights that are given to producers and performers," To do, Authorize others to do and To prohibit others from doing".. The terms Related Rights and Neighboring Rights have the same meaning.

What is the difference between COTT and ReRAPP ?
The Copyright Music Organization of Trinidad and Tobago (COTT) administers the performing right and reproduction right of Songs. They collect royalties for the owners of the copyrighted musical work (the song), i.e. songwriters, composers and music publishers.

Related Rights Agency for Phonograms and Performances (ReRAPP) collects royalties for performers, owners of sound recordings and audio visual works. i.e. singers, musicians, record and video producers.

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