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The Senate on Friday passed the Copyright (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 2023.
Minister of Industry Senator Aubyn Hill, who piloted the bill, said the amendment is required as the Regulations to accompany the statute are not yet in place.
He noted that the Copyright Act was amended in 2015 and a new section 87(a) included, requiring the registration of all licensing bodies.
When the 2015 Act was passed, there were three existing unregistered licensing bodies referred to as Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) operating in Jamaica.
These include the Jamaican Copyright Licensing Agency (JAMCOPY), Jamaica Association of Composers Authors and Publishers (JACAP) and Jamaica Music Society (JAMMS).
Senator Hill explained that the latest amendment is intended to remove any uncertainty in relation to the validity of the actions taken by the CMOs since 2015.
In his contribution to the debate, Opposition Senator Dr Floyd Morris urged that the requisite copyright regulations be speedily brought into effect.
Senator Hill, in response, reported that the Regulations are with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and the Ministry will be following up to ensure speedy implementation.
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