Ecco Distribute – Observer News Desk
Ecco Distribute More Than
Songwriters, composers and music publishers across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States are set to receive a share of more than EC$1.7 million in royalties when the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights makes its 2025 distribution later this month.
The distribution, scheduled for September 23, covers royalties collected between January 1 and December 31, 2025, from broadcasts, carnival activities, general music use and live events throughout the region.
It also includes overseas income received from ECCO’s sister societies and the United States-based Mechanical Licensing Collective.
ECCO said 55 per cent of the total allocation will go directly to its members in the OECS, while the remaining 45 per cent will be paid to sister societies abroad for affiliated members whose music was used within ECCO’s territories.
Chief Executive Officer Martin A. James said the distribution reflected the organisation’s purpose of ensuring regional creators are recognised and paid for the use of their work.
“Behind these numbers are real songwriters and publishers across our region whose works are being recognised and rewarded,” James said. “We remain committed to strengthening our collection and distribution processes so that more of that value reaches our members.”
ECCO Board Chairman Bruno Leonce said the payout demonstrated what effective collective rights management could achieve for members. He said the board remained committed to good governance and responsible stewardship.
The organisation, however, warned that persistent non-compliance by commercial music users continues to limit royalty revenue across the region. It said some businesses, broadcasters and event organisers use protected music without securing the licences required for broadcasts, carnival activities, general use or live events.
ECCO called on OECS governments to give greater priority to copyright protection and intellectual property enforcement, including updates to legislation and more effective measures against unlicensed use.
The organisation said stronger laws and enforcement were necessary to build a fair and sustainable music industry in which songwriters, composers and publishers are properly compensated for their work.
ECCO represents songwriters, composers and publishers across the OECS and works to protect and monetise their music rights regionally and internationally.
