The Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) Inc. today announced the completion of its June 2025 distribution, disbursing a total of $1,044,083.85 in performance royalties to members and affiliated music rights societies around the world. Payments will begin reaching earning members’ bank accounts from July 2.
The royalties reflect music performances that occurred during the 2023 period, with 44% going directly to ECCO members in the Eastern Caribbean and 56% allocated to foreign rights societies on behalf of international creators whose works were used in the region.
This distribution was made possible through licensing and royalty collections from a range of sources including radio and TV broadcasts, live events, festivals, hotels, restaurants, bars, and other licensed establishments across ECCO’s Six operating territories.
This milestone speaks not only to the cultural and commercial value of Caribbean music, but also to the importance of ongoing collaboration. For ECCO to continue carrying out its mandate of protecting intellectual property rights, members must consistently register their works, and regulatory authorities must continue working alongside ECCO to support fair enforcement and licensing.
“We are pleased to be making this considerable payout amidst the many challenges we face within the region, like the lack of compliance and respect for the copyright laws. ECCO remains committed to supporting the creative industries and the broader Orange Economy within the OECS,” says Martin A. James, CEO.
“We call on artistes, broadcasters, event organisers, businesses, and especially government agencies to work in unison with us to ensure creators are properly recognised and rewarded.”
ECCO has served as the region’s link to the global music rights ecosystem since 2009, representing creators in Six Eastern Caribbean countries- Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts & Nevis, and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines.
“We express our profound gratitude to our members and partners for their continued trust,” says James, “and we remain resolute to ensuring the music made in our region is respected, protected, and fairly compensated at home and abroad.”