Basseterre, St. Kitts December 11, 2024 (SKNIS) – The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has taken a major step forward in protecting the rights of creators and boosting the creative economy with the introduction of the Copyright (Collective Management Organisations) Regulations, 2024. This follows the passage of the Copyright Act, 2024, earlier this year in May, which modernised copyright laws to reflect international standards and the realities of the digital age.
The new Regulations require any organisation wishing to operate as a Collective Management Organisation (CMO) to be officially authorised by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of St. Kitts and Nevis. Until this authorisation process is complete, no CMO is allowed to issue copyright licences in the Federation. This ensures that organisations meet strict standards of transparency, fairness, and accountability before managing creators’ rights.
To qualify for authorisation, CMOs must meet several requirements. They need to clearly define the type of rights they will manage, provide proof of a substantial catalogue of works, have fair and objective membership criteria, and demonstrate compliance with the law. Where applicable, they must also affiliate with international copyright organisations. Once approved, CMOs will be subject to yearly inspections by the IPO to ensure they continue to operate within the law. Public complaints about non-compliance will also be considered as part of the review process.
The Regulations also require CMOs to be transparent about their operations. They must publish important information such as contact details, financial reports, membership terms, and policies on revenue distribution. This helps build trust between CMOs, creators, and the public.
The Government is reminding event promoters, venue operators, and other stakeholders in the creative industry that they should not accept licences from CMOs unless those organisations have been authorised by the IPO. As of the date of this release, no CMOs have been authorized by the IPO, which will notify the public about any organisations that receive authorization and publish such authorizations on its website. In the meantime, stakeholders can reach out to the IPO for guidance on copyright-related matters.
For more information, stakeholders in the creative industry can contact the Intellectual Property Office of St. Kitts and Nevis via email at ipo@gov.kn, by phone at (869) 467-1976, or visit their website at www.ipo.gov.kn. The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis remains committed to supporting the creative industries and ensuring that creators receive the recognition and protection they deserve.
