BSCAP SoundByte

September 2012 Volume 1 Issue 3

Note From the CEO

It is a new year and bscAp quarterly is finally back!

For those who were not aware of the newsletter hiatus, bscAp Quarterly was temporarily suspended until, among other things, the bscAp website was completed. I am happy to report that as of March, www.bscap.bz was finally launched. The site is a work in progress, so please bear with us as we continue to update and perfect the site.

Moving forward, September marked another year for Belize as an independent nation, and celebrations were in full swing throughout the country. When we think of celebrations we automatically think of music (as you cannot have the former without the latter). This September I am happy to report another significant milestone for bscAp. As of August 2012, the Institute of Creative Arts (a division of the National Institute of Culture and History (ICA/NICH)) licensed the music they publicly perform throughout the year, including ICA/NICH events held during September Celebrations. This means that in addition to bscAp increasing the number of music users licensed, bscAp members (and affiliates) will see a greater economic return from their creativity.

Respect for intellectual property means recognizing the importance of art, specifically music, to the cultural and economic viability of a nation. The partnership forged between Belize's premier cultural entity and bscAp not only recognizes the importance of music, but it also fortifies our resolve to vigorously protect our members' works, so that they can continue to derive economic benefits from the commercial exploitation of their creative works, which in turn, will continue to help stimulate the local economy.

We still have a long way to go, but we are definitely making positive steps in the right direction in our journey to Protect Creativity!

-heather cunningham, esq.-

Latest bscAp Developments

First Royalty Distribution

June 18, 2012 bscAp performer and producer members received their first royalty check for licensing fees collected in 2011 from bscAp's only licensee, at the time, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank .

Note - this year licensing fees collected have substantially increased and this will be reflected in the 2013 Royalty Distribution.

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Our 2nd AGM was held July 26th. Thank you to all members who attended and participated!

During the AGM bscAp's Governing Documents were updated and accepted by membership. Links to the working documents are included here.

Members also voted in 2 new board members. bscAp welcomes performer board member Adrian Martinez, and returning producer board member Dale Davis.

Membership

We have 68 members comprised of 42 writers, 3 publishers, 19 performers and 4 producers. Congratulations to the following individuals who, as of August 2012, have been accepted by the bscAp Board as provisional members of bscAp:

Writer & Performer members -

Emery "Gilla" Gill
Emilio "Meusik Leo" Thomas
Ernestine Carballo
Kareem "Nego Hights" Etyem
Tanya Carter

Leo "D!rty Jok3s" Matura (writer member)
Joseph "MR JOE" Villanueva (performer member)
Colville Young, Jr. (producer member)

As a reminder, each membership category derives its own income stream. So, for example, if you are a writer and performer member you will receive income as a writer and performer. If you are a performer and writer but only registered as a writer member, you will receive income as a writer (which is derived from the public performance of the composition (lyrics & music), so long as your works are being publicly performed); however, the revenue generated for the performance of the sound recording (which is the actual recording embodying the performances of the musicians and vocalists) will not be distributed until or unless you register as a performer member.

Our grassroots marketing campaign is still very much in full effect! We continue to reach out to music users to meet and discuss their music use in a valiant effort to get them licensed. We also continue to collaborate with other industry stakeholders to further promote the arts while advocating for the protection of copyright with respect to all things creative.

Additionally, bscAp strives to have a presence at as many music-related events as possible to educate and sensitize Belizeans about the economic benefits derived from copyright in music.

bscAp participated in the Artist in Development tour, organized by ICA/NICH, held earlier this year; bscAp was also present at Belize Expo 2012 with a booth in the ICA Creative Village, an event held during September Celebrations - organized by ICA/NICH, Music Industry Association of Belize (MIAB) and Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI); and bscAp plans to have a presence at the IndigeNOWbelize Festival to be held in Belize City October 12th - 16th.

WIPOCOS

The World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) has made a firm commitment to facilitate bscAp's access to WIPOCOS - an application system that incorporates the latest innovations developed at an international and regional level to enable us to manage our members' music rights. Updates will be forthcoming!

Univision licenses bscAp writer's Muevelo

Supa G

Univision's longest running variety show Sabado Gigante used bscAp member Lensford Martinez pka Supa G's recording of Muevelo in episode #1348 which aired February 18, 2012. bscAp granted a license for the performance which means Supa G receives royalties for the use of the composition in the show (synch fee) and he receives [performance] royalties every time the show airs (or is broadcast) in the various territories throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America. This is just another example of how creativity can generate income long-term, and bscAp's commitment to ensuring that our members are compensated for all commercial exploitation of their work(s).

In This Issue

Latest Developments

The Cover Song Quagmire

Members Making Moves

ICA/NICH Cultural Policy

Governing Documents

Licensed Establishments/Events

Nello Player

Congratulations to bscAp writer Nello Player for winning the Senior Patriotic Song Competition (2012) for his song 'Celebrating Belize'.

Congratulations are also extended to 16 year old Tara Gill (daughter of bscAp member Emery Gill) for winning the Junior Patriotic Song Competition (2012) with her song 'Belize Da Mi Country'.

The Cover Song Quagmire - Using Cover Songs Legally

Rule of Thumb - if you don't own or control it then you most likely need a license to use it. Limited Exceptions - e.g., public domain works - works that no longer are copyright protected and therefore anyone can use without obtaining a license.