Advertiser/Broadcasters

You are reminded that the appropriate clearances must be obtained in advance of the use of commercially released music embedded in commercials (radio & television) or any other production. You must contact COSCAP to obtain the necessary licence or advice on obtaining clearances.

Monitoring System

Starting in July 2009, COSCAP will begin initial music monitoring in Barbados using the monitoring system of software technology company BMAT. COSCAP and BMAT announced their partnership to monitor all radio and later all television and internet broadcasts. The solution provides monitoring and recognition based on the analysis of raw audio that is resistant to signal alterations such as broadcast mastering effects or noisy channel degradation. With continuous and precise tracking, Vericast guarantees accurate emission reports, making it ideal for identifying music broadcasts including advertisements.

COSCAP Foundation

The COSCAP Foundation has been established as a philanthropic arm of COSCAP. The COSCAP Foundation consists of a patron, Sir David Simmons K.A., B.C.H., Q.C., Chief Justice of Barbados and a nine-member board of directors in the persons of Chairman Mr. Glyne Murray, Vice Chairperson Mrs. Ayanna Young Marshall, Secretary, Ms. Lynette Eastmond, Treasurer Mr. Norman Barrow, Miss. Stella Hackett, Mr. Nicholas Brancker,Chairman of COSCAP - Mr. Derek Wilkie, Director of COSCAP Mr. Stedson Wiltshire with the CEO of COSCAP, Miss. Erica K. Smith sitting ex-officio.

Completion of Reassessment Forms

If you have changed your use of music, for example, a change in operations which affect the area space where music is played, then you should complete and return a reassessment form. The information provided ensures that your licence fees are computed to accurately reflect your actual music use. It is important that you communicate with COSCAP in order that your licence reflects actual music use.

Do you need a COSCAP Licence?

When you purchase a CD you do not purchase the copyright and related rights that exists in the songs recorded on the CD, so that you do not own the right to play the CD in public or to reproduce the CD and you will need to obtain a COSCAP licence if you want to carry out any of these acts.

The television is switched on only for sports and news; do I still need a COSCAP licence?

Yes, the fact is there is a substantial use of copyright and related rights protected music in television programmes and in commercial breaks and the public performance of these works must also be licensed.

A COSCAP licence is not necessary:

• For the use of music which is in the public domain (music in which the copyright has expired);
• Performances of music during worship;
• Live performances in dramatic or theatrical productions such as musicals, operas and ballets;
• The use of recorded music only by registered charities

How does COSCAP know what to pay its members?

COSCAP collects fees by issuing licences to music users granting them permission to publicly perform and reproduce the works and recordings of these rights owners. In order to make royalty payments to its members, COSCAP needs to know what music is being used. Major users, such as radio stations provide COSCAP with detailed reports of the music they play. For many other performances such as the various music festivals and Crop Over COSCAP sends its agents to obtain information first hand on the songs performed. However, due to the huge number of public performances that take place every year in bars, nightclubs hotels etc, it is impossible to track every performance that occurs therefore COSCAP distributes general licence (shops, hotels, restaurants etc) revenue by proxy against the data supplied by the radio stations.