In what can be called a landmark case of sorts for Vincentian artistes payment has finally been made for the unauthorized use of Get Rid ah Dem.
Lawyer Franklyn Max E Edwards has reported that the ruling St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party has made good on promised payment for the use of the song which is owned by musician Adrian Bailey. The very catchy ditty was widely used in St. Vincent & the Grenadines by the then opposition New Democratic Party during its efforts to unseat the Unity Labour Party in 2015.
Bailey learnt that the song had regained popularity in the Leeward Island territories and was being used by the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party led by Gaston Browne and also next door by the St Kitts Nevis Labour Party as their respective election campaign songs. Except that they had not sought authorization by the owners of the composition.
Bailey employed the services of entertainment lawyer Max E Edwards, who contacted representatives of both parties about their violation of copyright laws. Edwards earlier reported in a media statement that he had made an amicable settlement with Prime Minister Browne. He further held discussions with legal representatives of the St Kitts Nevis Labour Party.
We were told via another release earlier this year that despite a promised settlement the SKNLP had not made good on promised payment and had been ghosting the lawyer.
It would seem that this latest publicity on the issue has had the desired effect and the lawyer is now reporting that the issue is now settled in full.
Edwards is reminding artistes of the importance of registering their works with a body such as East Caribbean Copyright Organization (ECCO). He says this against the backdrop of the releases of hundreds of songs each year, particularly for Vincy Mas.
While Edwards has not disclosed the amount of the settlement, he instead chooses to emphasize that copyrighting compositions have legal protections for artistes.