Copyright Music Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago Performing Rights Royalty Distribution Process

Performing Rights

Distribution Goal

To ensure that the music copyright owners receive the income that is due to them as accurately and cost effectively as possible for the performance of their musical works in the territory.

Guiding thoughts inherent in the goal

That the copyright owners receive income that is due to them.
That they receive this income accurately.
That they receive this income cost effectively.

Distribution Process

Collection of Licensing Fees.
Identification of titles played at source.
Identification of right owners of titles used.
Deduction of administrative cost.
Payment of royalty.

Objective orientation of distribution process

That the copyright owners receive income that is due to them.
- Collection of licensing fees.
- Payment of royalty.
That they receive this income accurately.
- Identification of titles played at source.
- Identification of right owners of titles used.
That they receive this income cost effectively.
- Efficiency in keeping cost at a minimum.

Distribution Process Examined

Collection of licensing fees

Licensing fees are due whenever and wherever events create Public Performance of Music. These performances occur in a variety of instances such as; Radio and Television Broadcastings, Concerts, Fetes, at Bars, Pubs, Clubs, Shops Stores, Hotels, to name a few.
The licensing efforts attempts to ensure that these performances are duly licensed and that appropriate fees are collected.

This, of course, is fundamental to the payment of Royalties

Identification of titles played at source

Titles performed at the various events are obtained via program returns and play lists submitted to COTT by the promoter/ Producer of the event activity. These lists or returns give detailed information regarding the songs performed at the event, the composer(s) of the songs, etc. An in depth analysis of these sheets derive the next stage of the distribution process.

Identification of right owners of titles used

The right owners are identified through a system of matching the play lists against established databases of active work titles including the COTT Members' Database. These databases house information regarding Composers, Authors, Publishers and Sub Publishers and Territories of Publishing control.

Cost considerations

Pooling

In order to ensure efficiency and cost effectiveness of the entire distribution exercise it becomes necessary to pool various sources of income under specific categories. These are:

Broadcast Pool	Income received from television and radio broadcasters.
Carnival Pool	Income received from the various carnival events.
General Pool	Income received from sources other than above.

Sampling

Because of the proven effectiveness of sampling different sampling methods and practices may be employed in each pool.

Broadcasting	25% from radio stations
General	Based on the results from broadcast sample. (This is currently under review aiming to derive a more accurate system.)
Carnival:	Combination of radio broadcast, and play lists from live events competitions, and fetes during the season. (Also under review.)

Payment of royalty

After a complete analysis of program sheets within the above guidelines the right owners are paid their royalties according to their instructions. This method of payment should be quick and easy and usually takes one of the following formats.

Bank	Paid directly into a bank account.	Most favorable
Mail	Cheque mailed to member's address.	Second choice
Hold	Cheque held at office for member to collect.	Least favourable