Dominican musicians and other music creators are being urged to formally register their works and ensure their music is used on licensed platforms if they want to earn money from their creative output.
Daryl Bobb, the Director for Dominica at the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO), made the call as he highlighted the importance of registration for accessing royalties. ECCO is the region's collective management organisation for music rights, and it collects and distributes royalties on behalf of its members.
Bobb explained that many local artists are missing out on payments because their songs are not registered with ECCO or because their music is not being played on platforms that hold the necessary licences. He encouraged creators to take the simple steps needed to ensure their work is captured in the system.
«If you want to benefit financially from your creative work, you must register it and make sure it is being used on licensed platforms,» Bobb said, according to the appeal. He noted that registration allows ECCO to track where a song is played — whether on radio, television, online streaming services, or in public venues — and to collect royalties on the artist's behalf.
The call comes as the music industry across the Caribbean continues to shift towards digital distribution, with streaming and social media platforms becoming major outlets for new releases. For Dominican artists, proper registration can mean the difference between earning from their music and seeing others profit from it.
ECCO operates in several Eastern Caribbean countries and works to ensure that creators receive fair compensation when their music is used commercially. The organisation also provides guidance to members on their rights and on how royalties are calculated and paid out.
Bobb's message to Dominican artists is clear: do not wait until a song becomes a hit to think about registration. By then, royalties may already be accumulating without the creator's knowledge. He encouraged musicians, producers, and songwriters to reach out to ECCO's Dominica office for assistance with the registration process.
The appeal is part of a wider effort to strengthen the local music sector and help artists build sustainable careers. With Carnival, the World Creole Music Festival, and other cultural events providing major exposure for Dominican music, ensuring that creators are properly registered could unlock additional income streams for years to come.
Artists who register with ECCO also gain access to a network that monitors the use of their music across the region and beyond. For a small island with a rich musical heritage, that support can help ensure that the value of Dominican creativity stays in the hands of those who make it.
