No Collective Management Organization Authorized to Operate in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs of Saint Kitts and Nevis has issued a public notice declaring the Eastern Caribbean Collective Management Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) unauthorized to operate within the Federation. This declaration stems from ECCO’s failure to comply with the newly enacted Copyright (Collective Management Organisations) Regulations, 2024, which mandate all Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) to obtain authorization from the Intellectual Property Office of Saint Kitts and Nevis (IPOSKN) before conducting any licensing or rights management activities. The regulations, effective December 6, 2024, aim to establish a transparent and equitable framework for CMO operations, safeguarding the interests of rights holders, licensees, and the public.

ECCO, despite receiving notification on December 10, 2024, and being granted ample time to comply, has not submitted the requisite application for authorization. Instead, the organization and its agents have continued to issue licenses in direct contravention of the law, with these unauthorized activities persisting as recently as May 2025. This blatant disregard for the legal framework has prompted the Ministry to advise all individuals and businesses within Saint Kitts and Nevis to cease all interactions with ECCO and any other unauthorized CMO until they receive official authorization from IPOSKN.

The Ministry and IPOSKN emphasize their commitment to fostering a fair and transparent authorization process. The newly implemented regulations are designed to ensure the responsible operation of CMOs, requiring them to submit annual reports detailing their legal, financial, and operational status, which will be publicly accessible. Furthermore, the regulations mandate the establishment of a mechanism for public feedback, enabling individuals to share their experiences with CMOs in Saint Kitts and Nevis. These reports will be carefully reviewed by IPOSKN during the authorization process.

Despite the Ministry’s good-faith efforts and extended opportunities for ECCO to comply, the organization’s continued non-compliance has necessitated this public announcement. The Ministry urges anyone who has received a license from ECCO after December 10, 2024, to submit a copy of the license to IPOSKN for review. This will assist the office in assessing the extent of unauthorized activity and ensuring appropriate action is taken.

The Ministry is committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all stakeholders within the creative industries. The new regulations represent a significant step towards establishing a more regulated and transparent environment for copyright management in Saint Kitts and Nevis. The public is encouraged to remain vigilant and report any instances of unauthorized licensing activity to IPOSKN.

The Intellectual Property Office of Saint Kitts and Nevis can be contacted via email at [email protected] or by phone at 467 1978. The office is scheduled to relocate from its current location on George Street to the top floor of Independence House on North Independence Square Street, Basseterre, effective June 2, 2025. This move will provide a more centralized and accessible location for the public to engage with IPOSKN. The Ministry reiterates its commitment to enforcing the Copyright (Collective Management Organisations) Regulations, 2024, and ensuring all CMOs operating within the Federation adhere to the established legal framework.