About Licensing

COTT’s purpose is to simplify the lawful use of music.  If every music user had to negotiate a license with every copyright owner, it would be prohibitively expensive and time-consuming, potentially rendering it impractical.  For a reasonable fee, COTT grants licences to music users, enabling immediate and legal access to a vast repertoire of works. 

If you are hosting a private party and intend to play or display copyrighted music or music videos, you may require a copyright license. This is especially important if you are charging admission or holding the event at a venue that does not cover your music usage. 

However, if the party is genuinely private, confined to your household, and you are not charging admission, you may not need a copyright license. Nonetheless, it is always advisable to consult COTT to ensure full compliance with copyright laws. 

There are different laws for different areas.  The Copyright Act protects the economic interests of the creators of artistic works. Its main principle is that no entity, especially commercial enterprises, should exploit another’s property without due compensation. 

All songs are naturally copyright protected by the nature of how copyrights work. This extends further than just the musical work but also the sound recording. Under the law it is the duty of the music user to make sure that the music, whether local or international that you play, do not infringe copyright.  If you have any doubts or concerns regarding the copyright status of a particular song, please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance. 

Reproducing and distributing copyrighted music without the explicit consent of the copyright holder is a violation of the law.  

Whether the public performance is conducted in person or through mechanical means such as radios, televisions, stereo players, juke boxes, videos or karaoke machines, holds no bearing on the requirement for a COTT license.  In all these scenarios, a COTT license is indispensable. 

The artistes’ fees remunerate their in-person appearance. Their fee does not cover the authors’ creative works or the right to perform the authors’ works. The artiste and the author are two distinct legal entities even if they are the same person. Both the artiste and the author are entitled to compensation: the author is entitled to a royalty, and the artist is entitled to an appearance fee. 

In the absence of a valid COTT license, engaging in public performances, manufacturing, or importing sound recordings, films, or videos that reproduce copyrighted works belonging to COTT may result in civil or criminal action for copyright infringement. Potential remedies include the awarding of damages, legal costs, a fine of TT$250,000 and imprisonment up to 10 years. 

It is important to note that ownership of the physical CD does not automatically confer the right of public performance. This right remains solely with the copyright holder. Consequently, obtaining a COTT license is still necessary in such circumstances. 

Yes, as long as you use copyright protected works, you will need a licence. Please reach out to us to explore the diverse range of options we offer. 

Music can be a potent tool for businesses, impacting both customers and employees. Some of the benefits of using music in your business include: 

• A positive atmosphere: Upbeat music can enhance customer moods, fostering a welcoming and relaxed environment. This can result in increased spending and customer satisfaction.  

• Boosts employee morale: Appropriate music can energise employees and make them feel more engaged with their work. This can lead to improved productivity and customer service. 

• Shapes brand identity: Music can effectively communicate your brand’s personality to customers. For instance, a clothing store might play contemporary pop music to create a youthful vibe, while a spa might play soothing instrumental music to create a relaxing atmosphere. 

Entertainment venues serve as locations for hosting public events. These venues are often sought after by event planners and promoters who are tasked with organising and executing successful events. 

According to the law governing place of public entertainment “where copyright in a work is infringed by a performance at a place of public entertainment, any person who gave permission for that place to be used for the performance is also liable for infringement” . As a result, both the Event Promoter and the Property Owner are responsible for any copyright or neighbouring rights violations if a COTT license has not been obtained. 

We provide a specially designed tariff for event venues among our list of tariffs. Including this fee in your pricing structure will protect you from secondary infringements. Alternatively, you must ensure that promoters using your venue have the necessary COTT license.