The Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) Inc. has announced its second significant royalty distribution for 2025 with a total distributable amount of $1.3 million XCD for the period 2024. This follows the organisation’s first 2025 distribution in June for the period 2023, which saw a total disbursement of over $1 million XCD to rights holders. This latest distribution will reach creators bank accounts on Thursday, December 4th, 2025.
This payment represents royalties earned from the use of music across the Eastern Caribbean. Of these funds, 52% will go to ECCO members across the OECS while the remaining 48% will go to international rights holders through ECCO's affiliated societies. This narrative of the greater percentage remaining with ECCO members is largely attributed to our renewed strategy and the increased data collection from local live events.
However, ECCO points out a significant barrier to larger payouts for local creatives in so far as, many musical works used in the region are unregistered in its database. Without registration, there is no data to identify the rightful creators. This makes it impossible for ECCO to distribute the royalties these works have earned. The undistributed funds will remain in trust until claimants are identified. If these royalties remain unclaimed after a period of three years, they will be reallocated and redistributed to the registered members and societies who have documented usage during subsequent distribution cycles.
Revenue for this distribution came from ECCO’s licensing agreements with various music users. These include television and radio stations, live concerts, festivals and hospitality venues, such as hotels, restaurants, and bars across its six operating territories.
"We are proud to end the year with this second major distribution following our payment from June," said Martin A. James, CEO of ECCO. "The fact that over half of this payout stays with creators in our region shows the strength of our local music industry. Keeping up this financial support is key to our mission, even as we face regional challenges. We are dedicated to supporting the creative sector and we encourage all music users to work with us to make sure every creator is fairly paid for their work."
This significant payout is notable especially considering the challenges that exist within the region. Issues like persistent non-compliance, legislative inconsistencies, the lack of respect for copyright by the authorities and limited resources for enforcement continue to plague the industry. Despite these obstacles, ECCO's collections and distributions continue on an upward trajectory. This trend shows the untapped economic potential of the orange economy and the organisation’s dedication to its mission and vision.
In a statement, the Chairman of ECCO’s Board of Directors, Mr. Bruno Leonce, reflected on this achievement despite difficulties, “Both distributions in 2025 show what can happen when we support the rights of creators, even in a tough environment of widespread non-compliance and disregard for intellectual property laws. It highlights the great value of our music. However, this is only the beginning. Think about the possibilities if every broadcaster, venue, and business followed and honoured the laws. Our creators deserve a complete system where their work is always and fairly rewarded.”
ECCO remains a major stakeholder within the OECS music landscape and has been in existence since 2009. It connects creators from six Eastern Caribbean nations to the global music rights management network.
"We extend our most sincere thanks to our members and partners for their ongoing trust," James said. "We are dedicated to making sure the music from our region is valued, protected, and properly paid for, both locally and internationally."
About ECCO:
The Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) Inc. is the collective management organisation for music rights in six Eastern Caribbean territories: Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. ECCO represents the performance rights of its members and those of affiliated societies worldwide.
Head Office Contact:
P.O. Box CP5380 Julian Charles Road,
Sans Souci Castries, St. Lucia
Tel: (758) 451 6436 / 285 0404
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation For Music Rights (ECCO) Inc.
