The Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) has announced its second major royalty distribution for 2025, allocating $1.3 million XCD (Eastern Caribbean dollars) to music creators for earnings generated during 2024. This substantial payout follows the organization’s June distribution of over $1 million XCD for 2023 royalties, with funds scheduled to reach rights holders’ accounts on December 4th, 2025.
In a significant development for regional creators, 52% of the distributed royalties will remain with ECCO members across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), while 48% will be allocated to international rights holders through ECCO’s affiliated societies. This distribution ratio marks a notable achievement for local creators, attributed to enhanced strategic initiatives and improved data collection from live events throughout the Eastern Caribbean.
However, ECCO identifies a critical challenge limiting even greater payouts for regional artists: many musical works performed in the territory remain unregistered in its database. Without proper registration, the organization cannot identify rightful creators or distribute earned royalties. These unclaimed funds are held in trust for three years before being reallocated to registered members with documented usage in subsequent distribution cycles.
Revenue generation stems from ECCO’s licensing agreements with various music users, including television and radio broadcasters, concert and festival organizers, and hospitality venues such as hotels, restaurants, and bars across its six operating territories: Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
ECCO CEO Martin A. James stated: ‘We are proud to conclude the year with this second major distribution following our June payment. The fact that over half of this payout remains with creators in our region demonstrates the strength of our local music industry. Maintaining this financial support remains central to our mission, despite regional challenges.’
The distribution is particularly noteworthy given persistent industry obstacles including widespread non-compliance, legislative inconsistencies, insufficient respect for copyright protections, and limited enforcement resources. Despite these barriers, ECCO’s collections and distributions continue on an upward trajectory, highlighting both the untapped economic potential of the region’s creative sector and the organization’s commitment to its mandate.
ECCO Board Chairman Mr. Bruno Leonce reflected on this achievement: ‘Our 2025 distributions demonstrate what can be accomplished when we support creators’ rights, even within a challenging environment of widespread non-compliance and disregard for intellectual property laws. This represents just the beginning—imagine the possibilities if every broadcaster, venue, and business honored copyright laws. Our creators deserve a comprehensive system where their work receives consistent and fair compensation.’
Established in 2009, ECCO serves as a crucial bridge connecting Eastern Caribbean creators to the global music rights management network. The organization continues to advocate for proper valuation and compensation for regional music both domestically and internationally, while encouraging all music users to collaborate in ensuring creators receive fair payment for their artistic contributions.