NORCODE REGIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM
ON COLLECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT AND RELATED RIGHTS
IN THE DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT
Barbados, November 19 to 23, 2018

Resolution

Participants from ten countries/territories (Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Jamaica, Mexico, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago) participated at the first regional training program in the Caribbean organized by NORCODE, in cooperation with the CARICOM Secretariat and with the assistance from CISAC, IFPI, IFRRO and ACCS. The program was financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway, and supported by the University of Agder.

NORCODE is thankful to the CARICOM Secretariat for their partnership and support. The opening remarks and the spirit of collaboration expressed by Mr. Malcolm Spence, Senior Coordinator, the Office of Trade Negotiations, were highly appreciated.

Registrar, Corporate Affairs & Intellectual Property Office in Barbados, Ms. Heather Clarke
Mr. Malcom, Senior Coordinator – Intellectual Property, Science and Technology Issues
Office of Trade Negotiations
Mr. Robert J. Foster, The Honorary Consul General, Representative of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ms. Tarja Koskinen-Olsson, Finland/Sweden, International Copyright Advisor
Mr. Robert J. Foster, The Honorary Consul General, Representative of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mrs Inger Dirdal, Managing Director, NORCODE – The Norwegian Copyright Development Association
Mr. Robert J. Foster, The Honorary Consul General, Representative of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Thankful for the assistance and input of the international organizations, CISAC, IFPI and IFRRO, the participants emphasized that it had been insightful to embrace different aspects of collective management in music and text and images, as it enhances understanding among different types of CMOs. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution and every country needs to assess its unique infrastructure it is important to understand the different options that are available.

The participants thanked sincerely the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its generous support and funding of the training. The participation of the Honorary General Consul, Mr. Robert J. Foster, at the opening ceremony was highly appreciated.

The participants thanked Ms. Heather Clarke, Registrar, Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property (CAIPO) for her encouraging opening speech at the first regional training program for the Caribbean.

After the onsite training, the participants will continue to work on their individual study projects during the forthcoming six months. These projects are of special importance for the participants, their organizations and countries. The results of the study projects will be discussed and evaluated online in May 2019.

At the end of the onsite training session in Barbados, the participants agreed on the following action plan:

• Continuous sharing of expertise and knowledge in working groups through available technical facilities;
• Collaboration with the international organizations to gain enhanced knowledge and assistance that they offer in their respective field;
• This includes among others market data analysis and support in challenging negotiations through collaboration with CMOs whose repertoire is important in the region;
• Led by ACCS (The Association of Caribbean Copyright Societies), consideration of options available for rights management in music through hubs (front-office and/or back-office tasks);
• Continuation of collaboration in the text- and image sector in CARROSA (Caribbean RROs Agency);
• Inclusion of new RROs or members from countries which are currently not in CARROSA;
• Creation of appropriate legislative framework for the digital environment, in particular ratification of the WCT and WPPT;
• Building awareness among the public, users and rights holders by the IP Offices, in collaboration with CMOs;
• Consideration of appropriate legal framework for collective management and dispute settlement procedures.

It was noted that the following resources offered by WIPO could provide added-value to various participants:

• The distance learning programs offered by the WIPO Academy, in particular on collective management of rights;
• Resources available on alternative dispute settlement procedures.

The interactive and participatory atmosphere throughout the training session was considered to be a success factor in the learning process, taking everybody – the participants and resource persons alike – as teachers and learners. The valuable comments and presentations of the participants representing Governments and CMOs in music and text/image sectors formed an integral part of the sessions.

The team of excellent Resource Persons was a key facilitator in the success of the training course. Ms. Inger Elise Mey (Norway), Ms. Erica Smith (Barbados), Mr. Andrew Martin (Canada), Ms. Shiveta Sooknanan (Trinidad and Tobago), Mr. Juan Luis Marturet (US), Mr. Michael Battiston (US), Mr. Evon Mullings (Jamaica) and Mr. Carlos Bahamóndez (Chile), all played a very important role in the learning process. The moderation and presentations by Ms. Tarja Koskinen-Olsson (Finland/Sweden) were much appreciated.

Thankful to NORCODE for organizing the training and facilitating all aspects thereof, the participants thanked warmly Ms. Inger Dirdal, Managing Director of NORCODE, and through her the Chairman of NORCODE, Mr. Bendik Hofseth, for organizing the first program in the Caribbean.

List of Participants