The chickens have come home to roost as the Jamaica Association of Authors, Composers and Publishers, JACAP, has revealed that more than $50 million is owed to its members by local media houses. The sums have been owed for more than a decade.
It was revealed yesterday that the entity had initiated claims against several media houses for breaches of the Copyright Act, while cease and desist letters were issued to others. According to JACAP’s General Manager, Lydia Rose, the entity was left with little choice but to take strong action. She explains that the media houses are not disputing that they owe but instead dont pay or do so an ad hoc basis.
JACAP represents more than two million creators of music worldwide including 34-hundred Jamaicans.