Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Delaine Morgan (seated right) with three members of RIAJam, chairman Cleveland 'Clevie' Browne (seated left), Christopher Cargill of Laser Works CD Manufacturers (standing, left) and Franklyn Campbell of Stage Records. - Contributed

THE ENTERTAINMENT or creative sector is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy.

The creative sector entails music, film, television, video, theatre, dance, media and books.

Still, very few persons realise how important the music industry alone is to Jamaica.

It has long been noted, for instance, that the music of Bob Marley helped put Jamaica on the map and the industry impacts on many other sectors.

A WIPO-CARICOM 2006 report showed that there were at least 15,000 persons involved in the creative sector in the region, with around 6,000 involved in the music industry alone. It was estimated that Jamaica's earnings from the music industry were US$60-US$100 million in 2000.

REPRESENTING INTERESTS

There are several organisations available to represent the estimated more than 2,500 professional Jamaican singers and musicians.

These include the Jamaica Federation of Musicians and Affiliated Artists (JFM), the Jamaica Association of Female Artists (JAFA), the Jamaica Association of Vintage Artists and Affiliates (JAVAA), the Jamaica Songwriters Guild, the Jamaica Association of Authors, Composers and Publishers (JACAP), the Jamaica Performers Administration Society (JPAS), the Recording Industry Association of Jamaica (RIAJam), the Association of Independent Programme Providers (which seeks to represent the interests of producers for film, video, music and TV) and the International Intellectual Property Institute (IIPI).

But what exactly do some of these organisations do? Desmond Young, president of the JFM, said "We look after the protection of music and rights in terms of industry relations. We are like a union, to protect working conditions."

The JFM is over 40 years old.

"JFM is the body that represents both locally and internationally the singers and players of instruments. It's the music union. We keep musicians aware, we represent on an international front to get the industry to move. Other entertainment personnel are welcome, like magicians. We protect their interests performing abroad and locally.

"The federation has been around from 1958. The industry has grown, our Jamaican music is very successful, our demand abroad is very high. JFM took it upon themselves to tell people about copyright. JFM was the only entity that pressured the government to form a copyright law," he said.

MEMBERSHIP

He explained that in order to gain membership, "You have to meet certain criteria ­ that is, you must be a professional musician and be able to prove it."

However, according to Young, a number of artists are not considering the JFM to represent their interests.

Young states "Successful artistes don't see the need to join. They have their own management, lawyers, etc. Unions are usually supported by people who are upcoming."

At present, the membership of the JFM is over 2,000, which includes male and female musicians, artistes and performers.

Those who have been in the music business for a number of years are embraced by JAVAA.

JAVAA's director of public relations, Marie Francis, says that they started as a kind of social club for vintage acts.

She says "There was a tradition where vintage acts didn't usually get together among themselves unless it was at a show, airport or when someone died. JAVAA came out of the death of DJ Scotty. They (vintage acts) realised that they needed to spend more time out there with each other, then we evolved into providing vital services for these acts, such as group life insurance."

JAVAA does its best in ensuring that vintage performers are as well taken care of as possible.

"Musicians don't have a 9- 5 job, they don't have pension plans and so, with older musicians, there was a history of them passing away penniless. These are persons who have given their lives to the industry; they deserve to be recognised," Francis said.

"Membership is for those who are at least 20 to 25 years in the business, but that's not exclusive, nor is it cast in stone. Our purpose is to pass on and guide, assist, perpetuate, help music evolve in the right direction in terms of creativity."

COPYRIGHTING ISSUES

It would seem that copyrighting is well accounted for, as not only does the JFM tackle the issue but so do other organisations such as the Jamaica Association of Authors, Composers and Publishers (JACAP), the Intellectual Property Service Centre (IPC) and the Jamaica Performers Administration Society Ltd (JPAS).

According to IPC's newsletter, "When you record or register your copyright with IPC, you establish evidence of your claim to copyright through an independent which is available for current and future reference."

Natalie Chevannes, acting general manager for the IPC, said "There is always a need for more education. Our experience has been that some of those persons who know about our services do not consider them important until they have dire need for them. Although the idea of copyright and related rights are not new in Jamaica, the difficulty is that the persons who guide the performers and other rights holders are not always looking out for the rights holders' interests and, as such, will not view the services of the various organisations with much import.

"A general public education campaign is certainly necessary and is ongoing. The fact is that the rights agencies are all non-profit organisations and, as such, resources are limited. Good corporate citizens have made contributions to the cause over the years, but a lot more can be done. From time to time, each agency has seminars, expos and workshops in various locations. The attendance is usually limited to the persons who are hungry for knowledge, those who are being properly guided and those who already value the information and the services that exist for their benefit. We are exploring new and more creative ways in which to reach the newer persons," she said.

RECORDING BUSINESS

According to www.riajamaica.com, the official site of the Recording Industry Association of Jamaica (RIAJam), "The association is established to represent the interests of companies operating in Jamaica within the recording business. Membership is open to registered companies involved in music production, recording studio operations, music publishing, music video production, music distribution and manufacturing.

"The mission of the Recording Industry Association of Jamaica is to uplift the level of professionalism in the Jamaican recording industry and to increase the financial and other benefits to the Jamaican economy from participation by local players in the global music industry," it continued.

Members include big names such as Shocking Vibes Productions and Pot of Gold Records.

Clyde McKenzie said the JFM plays "a lobby role as well. In terms of recognition, interfacing with other organisations, you have to be a member of organisations such as those. Knowledge on artistes' rights is growing. I don't think it's where it should be. But a lot of times people need to educate themselves as well."

Not not all artistes are aware of these organisations and what they do. Spice, one the newer female dancehall acts, claims to have never heard of JPAS, JFM or any of the others.

"No, I've never heard about them. I know a little about my rights as an artiste and copyrighting. Obviously, I think they need to put themselves out there in the papers. In terms of copyrighting, I have a lawyer and a manager who deal with that," she said.