JIPO Executive Director Calls for More Support for CMOs

Executive Director at the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO), Lilyclaire Bellamy, is urging the public, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to enhance their support for Collective Management Organisations (CMOs).

These include the Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers (JACAP), Jamaica Copyright Licensing Agency (JAMCOPY), and the Jamaica Music Society (JAMMS).

During a JIS ‘Think Tank’, held at the agency’s head office on Wednesday, October 23, Ms. Bellamy emphasised the critical role of CMOs in protecting the rights of Jamaica’s creative individuals.

She acknowledged that in an increasingly global market, where tracking the dissemination of creative works is challenging for individual artistes, the importance of CMOs cannot be overstated.

“When music is played at events, for example, CMOs issue licences to organisers who must pay a fee. This revenue is then distributed to the creators of the music, ensuring they are compensated for their hard work,” she added.

Ms. Bellamy also highlighted that copyright protection extends beyond music, “so if you have written a book and it is being published and disseminated globally, there is no way you can know where and in what jurisdiction your book is being sold or purchased”.

The Executive Director added that “this is where the Collective Management Organisations come in”.

“They serve as the eyes and ears for our creative talents,” ensuring that their works, be it literature, visual arts, or music, are recognised and compensated appropriately, she noted.

She further mentioned that failure to support CMOs can lead to significant hardships for creatives, particularly in an environment where many remain unaware of their intellectual property rights.

“We contribute to them being in certain situations when we broadcast, download, or otherwise utilise their work without proper compensation,” Ms. Bellamy noted, adding that “nothing is truly free.

“Creators invest substantial time and resources into producing their work, and we must acknowledge that,” she said.

To support the vibrant creative community in Jamaica, Ms. Bellamy calls for a collective effort to recognise the value of CMOs.

“By doing so, we can uphold the rights of those who enrich our cultural landscape,” she said.

For more information about Collective Management Organisations, persons can visit the JIPO website at https://www.jipo.gov.jm/, email info@jipo.gov.jm, or call 876-946-1300.

Source: JIS