ECCO closes 2025 with $1.3m royalty payout

As the year draws to a close, the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) Inc. is striking a high note with an EC$1.3 million royalty payout. The December 4 distribution marks its second in 2025, underscoring the rising value of Caribbean music.

This latest disbursement follows ECCO’s June distribution for the 2023 period, which saw rights holders receive just over $1 million. While the organisation did not provide a more exact figure for that earlier payout, both distributions underscore a growing trajectory in collections across the region.

Of the EC$1.3 million, 52% will go directly to ECCO members in Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) nations. The remaining 48% will be passed to international rights holders through ECCO’s affiliated societies. 

ECCO attributes the larger local share to its renewed strategy and improved data collection from live events.

CEO Martin A. James said the outcome reflects the strength of the region’s music industry.

“The fact that over half of this payout stays with creators in our region shows the strength of our local music industry,” he said. “Keeping up this financial support is key to our mission, even as we face regional challenges.”

Despite the positive trend, ECCO highlighted a persistent challenge: many musical works used in the region remain unregistered in its database. 

Without registration, royalties cannot be matched to rightful creators. Such funds are held in trust for up to three years before being reallocated to registered members and societies.

Revenue for this distribution came from licensing agreements with broadcasters, live concerts, festivals and hospitality venues across ECCO’s six territories: Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. 

ECCO’s leadership acknowledged ongoing hurdles, including widespread non-compliance, weak enforcement of copyright laws and limited resources. 

Still, Chairman Bruno Leonce said the organisation’s progress demonstrates the untapped potential of the “orange economy”.

“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,” Leonce said. “Think about the possibilities if every broadcaster, venue and business honoured the laws. Our creators deserve a complete system where their work is always and fairly rewarded.”

Founded in 2009, ECCO connects Eastern Caribbean creators to the global music rights management network. With collections and distributions on the rise, the organisation says it remains committed to ensuring music from the region is valued, protected and fairly compensated.