Understanding COTT

Everyone is on the drive to "Support Local."

That doesn't only refer to purchasing items grown or manufactured in T&T.

It also refers to supporting local music and musicians. 

This doesn't mean only mean 'waving a flag,' purchasing a ticket for the next fete, or not purchasing pirated music.

It also extends to applying for the necessary COTT License.

COTT Poster - Image Courtesy: COTT

What is COTT?

COTT - the Copyright Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago is a clearing house for music users and creaters. They facilitate the process of granting permission to users of music, who are legally obligated to get authorisaiton form copyright owners each time their music is performed in public, broadcasted or recorded.

What does COTT do?

• Licensing the use of music in traditional, new and evolving formats

• Collecting royalties for the use and mechanical reproduction of music

• Increasing royalty distributions to right-holders

• Educating members of the public on the importance and value of music

• Advising government and non-governmental institutions on music rights issues

• Local liaison to international stakeholders on music rights issues

How do you apply for COTT Event License?

The process for applying and obtaining a license is very simple. Before the event takes place, you should complete and return an application form to COTT providing details such as where the event will take palce, cost of admission, the capacity of the venue and the number of tickets printed as well as the type of music that will be performed. COTT will process the application and provide you with a contract.

If you are planning to produce a concert, fete, fail or other public events with or without an admission fee where music will be performed live or recorded means, then as with other users of music, you will require a public performance license from COTT. It is recognised that there are many types of events and COTT has a schedule of tariffs in order to ensure that you are granted the license that best meets your needs.

It is important for licenses to note that as a condition of the grant of a license, you many be required to provide COTT representatives access to the event and a running order of the music performed. The information gathered enables COTT to distribute royalties more accurately to the owners of the music actually used.

How do Venues apply for an Annual or Blanket License?

For copyright purposes, a public performance, refers to any performance outside the domestic circle and includes performances in hotels, restaurants and cinemas, those given to audiences restricted to the members of a club or local institute, as well as to workers in a factory. Whether used for commercial or non-commercial reasons, users are expected to pay royalties. The cost of each license will depend on the nature of music use.

What is the proess for Applying for a COTT License?

The process for applying and obtaining a license is very simple. Once you have decided to have music played at your business or event, you should contact COTT. You will then be required to complete an Application Form which captures data necessary to prepare an invoice, such as the size of the business. Once payment is made you will recieve a contract.

For more information, please contact COTT at:

TRINIDAD (NORTH) HEAD OFFICE
139-141 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain (between New and Gordon Streets)
Phone: (868) 623-6101, (868) 623-7311, (868) 624-2688 - 624-COTT
Fax: (868) 623-4755
General Enquiries: cott@cott.org.tt

TRINIDAD (SOUTH) EXTENSION OFFICE
15B Carib Street, San Fernando
Phone: (868) 657-2688 - 657-COTT
Fax: (868) 657-2688
General Enquiries: cottsouth@cott.org.tt

TOBAGO EXTENSION OFFICE
Lal Building, 19 Dutch Fort Street, Scarborough
Phone: (868) 635-2688 - 635-COTT
Fax: (868) 635-1188
General Enquiries: tobago@cott.org.tt

Information cited from COTT