Grenada Today - July 31st, 2004

The Grenada Bar Association last Friday held a one day seminar at the Norton's Hall in St. George's on the laws of Copyright.

The seminar which was held under the theme "Copyright Made Simple", brought together several local authors, artistes, cultural activist, musicians, police officers, arrangers and lawyers.

The aim was to encourage persons to see copyright as a means of gaining economic benefits and protection for their intellectual property.

Some of the topics dealt with during the seminar included, what is copyright, the future of copyright, the laws governing copyright, piracy, defences/exceptions to infringements, enforcement/the role of the court, economic rights, as well as several other areas related to copyright.

Among the facilitators were Trinidadian lawyer, Allison Demas who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Copyright Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as Mc Carthy Marie of Dominica and local lawyers, Daniella Williams, and Sheila Harris.

During the seminar participants were brought up to date on the progress of the laws relating to copyright in a number of countries and a number of court decisions delivered in copyrights cases in England and other countries.

Demas told the participants that it is important that they get to understand what copyright is all about since there is more to copyright than what meets the eye.

She said that artistes, authors and musicians and all those who believes that copyright is important to them should take a keen interest in issues related to copyright.

She spoke at length on the economic benefits of copyright and protection of persons intellectual property. Mc Carthy called for the establishment of a local Performing Rights Society (PRS), to look after their interest.

He said that such a body should be used to collect royalties or monies for its members through the licensed use of their work. According to Mc. Carthy, the PRS will have the responsibility to monitor and collect regular sampling surveys of the music played in pubs, clubs and other venues and collect the royalties for distribution to composers, lyricists and publishers for the use of their work.

He said that more and more people in the Caribbean region are getting themselves attached to PRS and other organisations with similar interests.

In addition, he pointed out that persons must ensure that their work are protected since copyright is no simple matter.

Local lawyers Harris and Williams spent a great deal of time highlighting and discussing some of the copy related issues which from time to time affect artistes in Grenada.

They touched on the different ways to seek protection, the right of attribution and integrity among other issues.