Regional Latin American and Caribbean Committee Reviews Progress, Sets Future Collective Management Goals in Bogota

Summary
Increased Cooperation Drives Results and Success throughout the Region
2016 Latin American and Caribbean Committee 1

On 20 April, CISAC’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean organised the 2016 annual committee in Bogota, Colombia to discuss current issues, progress and strategic orientations for the region. 

Starting the meeting, CISAC Director General Gadi Oron outlined the challenges and 2016 priorities for CISAC. Mr Oron highlighted the previous year’s achievements, the increased focus on addressing members’ evolving needs, the efforts given for sharing more information among societies and the increased contact with media. He then presented the increased collaboration with creators, international agencies and academic institutions as well as increased coordination with other rights holder organisations. Mr Oron updated Latin American members on CISAC Governance Reform progress while noting that the CISAC Board of Directors is calling on societies for their comments on the reform. A final decision is due to be adopted at the 2017 General Assembly. 

Following opening remarks, SADAIC Board Member and composer Víctor Yunes gave the Chairman Committee Report on the state of collective management in the region. Mr Yunes emphasized the importance of making progress on key goals, stressing training and technical cooperation programs that have involved a large number of music rights societies, new audiovisual societies and the visual artists’ campaign. The Chairman indicated that regional cooperation is becoming increasingly effective, citing the examples of Colombia and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of Mexico. 

In 2015, important aspects in the region included country-specific legislative activity, such as the visual artists’ resale right in Argentina, the remuneration right for directors and screenwriters in Chile and the recent introduction of the audiovisual authors’ remuneration right in Colombia. However, he also called attention to the present critical situation in Honduras and Paraguay. Mr Yunes reported on communications sent to the President of Honduras and to the National Office of Intellectual Property in Paraguay, seeking solutions to difficulties affecting collective management in those countries. The Chairman also recognized the efforts of the regional office to support SAYCE regarding a bill amending the law on intellectual property in Ecuador. 

(Video produced by Argentinian society DAC.)

Next, CISAC Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Santiago Schuster presented the Regional Director Report, which outlined national reports and 2016-2017 projects, before discussing proposed resolutions to situations presented by societies. These proposed resolutions included: 

  • Urging the Government of the Republic of Honduras to undertake a cooperative effort with CISAC to overcome weaknesses effecting collective management in Honduras regarding shortcomings observed in society AACIMH and the widespread breach in the illegal use of worldwide music repertoire.
  • Urging the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to provide unwavering support to the Copyright Music Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago (COTT) in performing its duties and ensuring compliance to international treaties.
  • Expressing solidarity with societies spanning all repertoires in Argentina, which have seen artistic work dramatically reduced in audiovisual broadcasting.

After the discussion on resolutions, the results and negotiations of the region’s two Memorandums of Understanding were presented. The Regional Director declared the results of this cooperation agreement with CISAC between ASCAP, BMI, PRS for Music, SESAC and English-speaking Caribbean societies. The agreement allowed societies to renovate their computer systems, provide new information technology training and make progress in documentation and distribution thanks to the new possibilities of the implemented COSIS system. The MoU of St. Lucia continues to advance with cooperating societies, ECCO, COSCAP, COTT and JACAP making progress on the established goals. 

SACM Director of Licensing and Collection Luis Cecilio Orozco continued the meeting in reporting on negotiations in Panama as well as decisions being taken in other countries, including an arbitration request to resolve large user differences. Mr Orozco then emphasized that the experience gained through the MoU of Mexico has established a course of action that can be useful for challenges members could face in the future. Mr Orozco concluded by thanking ASCAP, BMI, SGAE and PRS for Music for their support and involvement in efforts carried out by cooperating societies in the region including AGADU, SADAIC and SACM.

2016 Latin American and Caribbean Committee 2

In the afternoon, the agenda was dedicated to region-specific cases including legislative reform in Ecuador, resolutions from the governments of Peru and Honduras, a preview of the CISAC/Colombian Government/SAYCO Cooperation Agreement and the situation of audiovisual societies in Colombia. 

Mr Schuster closed the committee meeting with a recap of regional priorities for 2016 and 2017. The next Regional Latin American and Caribbean Committee meeting will take place in Chile.