AUTHORISED CMOs in ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
Below is the list of CMOs that have been authorized to operate in St. Kitts and Nevis
The Eastern Caribbean Collective Management Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO)
- Rights authorised to administer: the right of public performance of musical works
- Authorisation for 2025 was granted for the period 3rd July 2025 to 31st December 2025
Annual CMO Inspection Guidelines
Overview
The Intellectual Property Office of St. Kitts and Nevis (IPOSKN) is responsible for supervising all authorised Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) to ensure continued compliance with the Copyright Act and the Collective Management Regulations. The Office’s oversight helps to promote transparency, efficiency, and the protection of the interests of members, rights holders, and users.
Each authorised CMO is subject to one annual inspection conducted by the IPOSKN to confirm ongoing compliance with:
- The authorisation requirements (Regulation 4)
- The organisation’s prescribed roles and functions (Regulation 3)
- Applicable laws, regulations, and reporting obligations
Annual inspections are designed to collaboratively assess operations, encourage best practices, and strengthen trust, accountability, and good governance within the collective management framework.
Pursuant to Regulation 5(2) of the Collective Management Organisation Regulations, the IPOSKN hereby issues these procedural guidelines governing the annual inspection process.
Inspection Process
1. Notification
CMOs will receive written notice of inspection at least 45 days before the expiration of their current certificate of authorisation.
The notification will include:
- The proposed timeframe for inspection;
- The scope, format and focus areas of the inspection; and
- Any documents or information required in advance.
The IPOSKN may also include specific questions regarding the CMO’s operations. Any complaints received from the public will be forwarded to the CMO for review and response.
While the IPOSKN will aim to include all relevant queries in the initial notice, it reserves the right to request additional information after submissions have been reviewed.
2. Information Sharing and Inspection
During the inspection, the IPOSKN may examine, among other materials:
- Authorisation documents
- Annual reports and audited financial statements
- Membership and governance policies
- Distribution and deduction policies
- Records of rights revenue collection and distribution
- Tariffs and licence agreements
- Complaints received from the public
- Public information on the CMO’s website or other media
- Media reports concerning the CMO
Inspectors may request meetings with the CMO’s Board, management, or staff to seek clarification or additional information on procedures and practices.
The CMO may choose to have legal counsel or another representative present during the inspection.
Information may be provided through document submissions and/or virtual meetings. Minutes of any virtual meeting will be prepared by the IPOSKN and shared with the CMO for review and approval within seven (7) days of the meeting.
3. Findings and Report
The CMO should submit any final comments, clarifications, or supporting documentation at least 28 days before the expiration of its current certificate of authorisation to prevent any interruption in authorisation.
Following review, the IPOSKN will issue a final inspection report no later than 21 days before the expiration of the certificate. The report will include either:
- A renewed certificate of authorisation for the subsequent year; or
- Details of any sanctions or remedial measures to be imposed.