A proud moment for the creative industry

THIS IS a proud moment for the creative industry in Jamaica. Twentyone years ago, in March 1998, the Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers (JACAP) was formed. Growth of an individual, achieving 21 years, is regarded as coming of age, and so at this time, as we celebrate our 21st anniversary, JACAP has certainly come of age.

I pay tribute to our founders for their vision. Founder/board director Desmond Young, who was, at the time, a member of PRS, reflects, “By and large, our songwriters didn’t have a grasp of intellectual property management and protection for their work, so we had the mindset of wanting to see creators getting their fair share.” Another founder/director, Steve Golding, remembers that some were at first unwilling and hesitant, but then, eventually, there was a quiet admission that since JACAP came into being, their royalties increased. “My vision was to live to see the day when we, as a people, could become the masters of our own fate and rise to the occasion of efficiently managing the collective management of the creators of Jamaican music ourselves,” says founder/ director Augustus ‘Gussie’ Clarke. I also honour our first members, who saw it fit to sign into our membership when we were still unproven. Also recognised are the long hours put in by our past board members as they crafted the policy by which we now operate. From the past board chairs, I have inherited a rich tradition set by William Barclay, Golding, and Lydia Rose; I applaud you.

JACAP has grown dramatically. In 1999, we had a membership of 30, our cumulative revenue was almost $8 million, and our distribution was $6,065,000. Today, our membership stands at almost 4,000. Our total cumulative revenue is $1,259,000,000, with distribution of over $792,000,000. That is growth indeed.

As a signatory to regional and worldwide collective management organisations, JACAP adheres to strict guidelines as to how business is conducted for our members. We also keep abreast of the latest trends in policy and technology, making sure to adjust and modernise where necessary. We will not be left behind.

Our awareness campaign is ongoing, instructing users of intellectual property of those requirements that are enforced by law. I look to a time, not long from now, when everybody in Jamaica, not just creators, are aware of the value of copyright ownership and support copyright owners. JACAP salutes users who have been compliant, and we encourage everyone to follow their example.

For the future, we will continue to position ourselves so that our composers, authors, and publishers have the maximum benefit from their work. To this end, we encourage the powers that be, the Government, the broadcast commission, and broadcasters, to support local creators of music. As such, we ask that you consider that broadcasts of music be aired with a ratio in favour of local music. This will result in less money being paid overseas and instead a greater percentage paid to our local creators. Congrats, JACAP! Congrats Jamaica!

STEPHEN O. STEWART

Chairman

JACAP