This document summarizes the role of COTT, a performing rights and mechanical rights society in Trinidad and Tobago, within the music IP landscape. It discusses COTT's membership, affiliation with international organizations like CISAC, involvement in the Association of Caribbean Copyright Societies to facilitate regional cooperation, revenue streams from various sources, distributed royalties from 2013-2015, areas for potential growth, and dilemmas facing the music industry like technological shifts and intellectual property enforcement. It concludes with recommendations for valuing local content, developing music publishing, growing digital revenue, engaging corporate Trinidad and Tobago, and consolidating the fragmented industry.

1. COTT’s Role within Music IP
Landscape
Josh Rudder
Chief Executive Officer, COTT
Vice Chairman, Management Committee - Association of
Caribbean Copyright Societies (ACCS)

3. Our Organisation
• Established in 1984 (30 years)
• Performing rights & mechanical rights society
• Over 3,000 local members representing T&T’s
most prolific music creators and publishers
• 3 million authors and composers and in excess of
80 million musical works via our international
reciprocal agreements
• COTT is a member of the International
Confederation of Societies of Authors and
Composers (CISAC).

4. Association of Caribbean Copyright
Societies (ACCS)
• Communication link between Caribbean
Copyright societies facilitating regional
integration and concentrated efforts in one
common direction
• Centralized Database
• Vericast Monitoring System - BMAT
• Harmonization of practices (Governance,
Licensing & Distribution)
• Pan Regional Licensing (DSPs)

5. Revenue Streams
• Live Events – (Carnival)
• Live Events – (Concerts, etc.)
• Establishments / Premises
• Broadcasters
• Cable Operators
• Synchronization
• Foreign Incoming Royalties (Bi-Lateral
Agreements)
• Digital (Streaming, Downloads)

6. Distributable Income (2013 – 2015)
• 2013 - $9.06M
• 2014 - $9.85M
• 2015 - $9.75M *unaudited

7. Areas of Potential Income Growth
• Radio / Broadcasters
• Cable
• Digital
• Concerts and Events

8. Dilemma Facing Music Industry
• Disregard for Intellectual Property Rights
(Major users)
• Law Enforcement
• Multiple organisations operating in the same
environment / market
• Technological Shift – Digital Media
• Value / Lifespan of a music catalogue -
Publishing
• Lack of IP Awareness

9. Dilemma Facing Music Industry
(cont’d)
• Local Content & Airplay
• Fair Value of Music / Rates
• Understanding the values Music IP plays in the
the Creative Industries.

10. The Way Forward
1. Valuing Local Content and Creating Avenues
for music exploitation to create revenue.
(Infrastructure / Spaces, Carnival, Music
Export vehicles)
2. Music Publishing
3. Digital Revenue
4. Role of Corporate T&T
5. Method of Defragmenting the Industry

11. Thank You