Showing posts with label RIATT. Show all posts
Recently EM received correspondence from musical consultant Mr. Fabien Alfonso highlighting the questioning of COTT's (Copyright Organization of Trinidad & Tobago) fees. The letter which is attached below called on COTT's board members to explain the seeminly unethical fees being charged for management of artistes copyright's affairs. Since this issue directly affects the recording artiste in Trinidad and Tobago, EM saw it necessary to contact Mr. Fabien for him to shed some light on the issue. This interview is like no other, as it tackles the business and operational aspects of the industry. Yes we macco these issues too.
Entertainment Macco: What organization do you represent?
Fabien Alfonso: “I represent the Recording Industry Association of Trinidad and Tobago (RIATT) we are a non-profit trade association representing the individuals and entities involved in the recording of all genres of music. RIATT will continue to educate the populace about the definition of a local Music industry and how it differentiates from the Carnival industry”.
Entertainment Macco: Who are you? What is your role in the entertainment industry?
Fabien Alfonso: “Really I am a record producer/activist/entertainment consultant; as a producer I have worked with Machel Montano, Destra Garcia, Bungi Garlin and Militant to name a few. I am in dialogue with a number artiste representative groups and I am also part of the Artiste Coalition of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT). Promoting the development of a local music industry is what I’m all about”
Entertainment Macco: How did you become involved in the issue at hand?
Fabien Alfonso: “As the president of RIATT, some aggrieved members of Copyright Organization of Trinidad and Tobago (COTT) asked that I be the official spokesperson for this situation. The members trust and believe that I can articulate the present state of affairs and effectively represent them.
Entertainment Macco: What do the members hope to achieve by calling this ‘special meeting’?
Fabien Alfonso: "The members want COTT to explain why the organization deducts such a high percentage rate for administration of its duties. COTT’s argument, in defence of such high percentages taken has to do with their exorbitant administrative and legal fees. The members are also requesting a breakdown of salaries and other professional fees. As it stands, if COTT is unable to give satisfactory answers, the members intend to have the existing board removed. This would be done in accordance with COTT’s statutes.
Entertainment Macco: Who/What is WIPO?
Fabien Alfonso: “World Intellectual Property Organization which is the governing body responsible for intellectual property throughout the world. They also establish international treaties that all countries are encouraged to be signatories of. The members’ arguments were based on a WIPO endorsed report written by a Dr. Ulrich Uchtenhagen in 2005. In a release, COTT claims what is being reported as ‘ false and misleading’. Anyone can Google this document and see what these guidelines are”.
Entertainment Macco: Can you enlighten us some more about the WIPO report?
Fabien Alfonso: "According to the WIPO report, 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 30%. For the year ending 2009, information at hand showed COTT deducting a lot more than this recommended rate. The amount was 60% for broadcast distribution (Radio and Television) and 78% for General distribution (bars, restaurants, gyms, hotels etc.) Income from Carnival and some Live Events are not part of COTT’s general distribution."
Fabien Alfonso: “World Intellectual Property Organization which is the governing body responsible for intellectual property throughout the world. They also establish international treaties that all countries are encouraged to be signatories of. The members’ arguments were based on a WIPO endorsed report written by a Dr. Ulrich Uchtenhagen in 2005. In a release, COTT claims what is being reported as ‘ false and misleading’. Anyone can Google this document and see what these guidelines are”.
Entertainment Macco: Can you enlighten us some more about the WIPO report?
Fabien Alfonso: "According to the WIPO report, 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 30%. For the year ending 2009, information at hand showed COTT deducting a lot more than this recommended rate. The amount was 60% for broadcast distribution (Radio and Television) and 78% for General distribution (bars, restaurants, gyms, hotels etc.) Income from Carnival and some Live Events are not part of COTT’s general distribution."
Entertainment Macco: Does COTT have any official documentation stating the figure they are to deduct for administration fees?
Fabien Alfonso: "COTT has a document called ‘DISTRIBUTION RULES’ that clearly states how much COTT deducts for the administration of Reproduction Rights. With reference to broadcast and public performance rights fees, there is no stated stipulation in that said document. Seeing as both fall under their purview and the one document relates to both the rights that COTT administers why isn’t there a percentage stipulated for broadcast and public performances as was done for reproduction rights?"
Fabien Alfonso: "COTT has a document called ‘DISTRIBUTION RULES’ that clearly states how much COTT deducts for the administration of Reproduction Rights. With reference to broadcast and public performance rights fees, there is no stated stipulation in that said document. Seeing as both fall under their purview and the one document relates to both the rights that COTT administers why isn’t there a percentage stipulated for broadcast and public performances as was done for reproduction rights?"
Entertainment Macco: Is this practice illegal?
Fabien Alfonso: “It is not illegal but may be considered to be an unethical practice. It really begs the question of viability. Was COTT created to be viable to itself or to its members? Nevertheless it was those questionable deductions that prompted the members call for a ‘special meeting’.
Entertainment Macco: Can this issue affect the group or the board negatively?
Fabien Alfonso: “Many possibilities come to mind; for this group, victimisation and being branded as trouble makers if this effort is not successful.
I’m concerned about some of the individuals that are on the current board. These are people I know and genuinely respect. My belief is members of the board were not aware of this particular issue. But if there were any that knew about it, let’s hope it does not affect them”
Entertainment Macco: What do you feel the outcome would be?
Fabien Alfonso: "COTT has to justify their operational costs. It’s a case of income minus expenses; there is also discourse about the purchase of a new building. The question is, was this necessary? Was it a priority, does it benefit the members or the organization? Does this new facility assist the organization in collecting extra money? So if answers to these questions aren’t forthcoming, the members are certain about that vote of no confidence in the existing board. They want an organization that’s about cost-effective financial management and whose main priorities are its members."
Entertainment Macco: Should this effort succeed, can you give us an idea of what new policies or strategies are proposed to be put in place?
Fabien Alfonso: "Revisit of policies “Most of COTTs current policies would be revised. Case in point, the nomination and election process of the board. There must be a reduction of excessive operational and legal costs. COTT needs to engage other Industry stakeholders to deal with Compliance issues from a collective standpoint. The collection of reproduction/mechanical rights would be exercised with aggression. Some members expressed that COTT has become sort of an elitist group and has lost touch with its grass roots members. I hope this is an allegation and not a reality. In conclusion, the members are advised to draft a document similar to a manifesto. This would contain the course of action the new board would implement should they succeed in removing the current board and gaining full control of COTT.”
Fabien Alfonso: “It is not illegal but may be considered to be an unethical practice. It really begs the question of viability. Was COTT created to be viable to itself or to its members? Nevertheless it was those questionable deductions that prompted the members call for a ‘special meeting’.
Entertainment Macco: Can this issue affect the group or the board negatively?
Fabien Alfonso: “Many possibilities come to mind; for this group, victimisation and being branded as trouble makers if this effort is not successful.
I’m concerned about some of the individuals that are on the current board. These are people I know and genuinely respect. My belief is members of the board were not aware of this particular issue. But if there were any that knew about it, let’s hope it does not affect them”
Entertainment Macco: What do you feel the outcome would be?
Fabien Alfonso: "COTT has to justify their operational costs. It’s a case of income minus expenses; there is also discourse about the purchase of a new building. The question is, was this necessary? Was it a priority, does it benefit the members or the organization? Does this new facility assist the organization in collecting extra money? So if answers to these questions aren’t forthcoming, the members are certain about that vote of no confidence in the existing board. They want an organization that’s about cost-effective financial management and whose main priorities are its members."
Entertainment Macco: Should this effort succeed, can you give us an idea of what new policies or strategies are proposed to be put in place?
Fabien Alfonso: "Revisit of policies “Most of COTTs current policies would be revised. Case in point, the nomination and election process of the board. There must be a reduction of excessive operational and legal costs. COTT needs to engage other Industry stakeholders to deal with Compliance issues from a collective standpoint. The collection of reproduction/mechanical rights would be exercised with aggression. Some members expressed that COTT has become sort of an elitist group and has lost touch with its grass roots members. I hope this is an allegation and not a reality. In conclusion, the members are advised to draft a document similar to a manifesto. This would contain the course of action the new board would implement should they succeed in removing the current board and gaining full control of COTT.”
Entertainment Macco: Do you think that all the artistes would come together?
Fabien Alfonso: “This is an opportunity for artistes within the entertainment fraternity to unite, exercise team work and organizational democracy. The outcome could only be positive”.
Fabien Alfonso: “This is an opportunity for artistes within the entertainment fraternity to unite, exercise team work and organizational democracy. The outcome could only be positive”.
Greetings,
We would like to start off by saying thank you for making us trendsetters, as we see many a website didn't bother to ask they just thief we Exclusive interview on Donoe’o and Problem Child and didn't even bother to give us credit. We would also like to give props to the Punch Newspaper (Ms. Badal) for dealing with the business professionally and asking us for permission as well as giving us credit for using our exclusive interview with Donae’o.
On to other things we Macco-ed this week
What Will Happen to the Newly formed “YOU” Band?
We macco-ed that the most experienced musician in the band resigned but somehow we are hearing that he get fired. Which one is it? Now as far as we know he was the Musical Director and SW and You was already sounding lil shaky so what will happen to the band now? Ozy MajiQ giving up MUSIC?
Ozy MajiQ is giving up singing, recording and performing? If allyuh did not know…Ozy MajiQ is probably one of the most consistent Rapso artistes in Trinidad and Tobago and has been toiling for many a years….It has finally gotten to him and the man is saying that it has reached a point where it is impossible to build an industry outside of Carnival with little or NO resources….. He is putting down the MIC but would he loose his love for music is what I wonder? Ozy is saying that he is uncertain what his next move is career wise but he is certain that it would have a positive impact on the community BOTH locally and globally..... TWO Soca Stars pay their way to America to Perform?
On another note we macco-ed that a big big bigggggg promoter in New York advertised JW and Blaze this past weekend for an event knowing fully well that they weren’t coming any where and then because it had a storm they show got cancelled….But we also hear that two big big Soca Stars pay their way to go to America to perform on that show, I wonder how they feeling?Kernal and Screws OR Shal?
Now I bought a copy of the “Socabox” CD and was very very surprised when I realized that big big tune by Shal and Screws was written by Kernal Roberts and Tishard Barrington AKA Screws, so how it is that Shal went to Toronto alone and perform the tune without Screws, wah happen like screws get lock up again for weed and he couldn't make the flight? OR is it that Shal trying to run away with the song? Is so many things we Macco-ed this week? Well yesss…. Another thing…
RIATT is calling for Transparency
We also understand that there is controversy brewing in the Entertainment Industry; RIATT (Recording Industry Association of T&T)..is calling for transparency in the firing of some Board Members and the re-hiring of New Board Members in TTENT (Trinidad and Tobago Entertainment Company)...All yuh hear anything about that? Apparently some of the board of directors were asked to leave aka fired and they are being replaced "secretly"....apparently there were no consultations or offer of consultation/s with entertainment stakeholders and this is why RIATT is calling for transparency...
Category:
Kernal Roberts,
Ozy MajiQ,
RIATT,
Screws,
Shal,
Shurwayne Winchester,
SOCA Stars,
TTENT
10 Comments
