KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica Association of Authors Composers and Publishers (JACAP) says it has filed lawsuits against several local media houses for breaches of the copyright laws.

The media houses currently before the Supreme Court, according to a release from JACAP, include CVM Television Limited, Nationwide News, News Talk 93 FM, Grove Broadcasting Limited (IRIE FM & ZIP 103 FM), KLAS Sports Radio, and Island Broadcasting Services Ltd.  

‘Cease and Desist’ letters have also been written to Love FM, Sun City Radio, Mello FM, TBC Radio, Bess FM, KC Gospel and Mega JAMZ FM, the association said Monday.

General Manager at JACAP Lydia Rose added that “the creators of music are unhappy with the illegal use of their works and have mandated JACAP to take violators to court for infringement of their copyright”.

JACAP, which was established in 1999, has to date paid out over J$180 million in royalties to its members.

JACAP says it plans to file lawsuits within the coming months against cable and venue operators, promoters, and hotels. 

Several meetings have been held with cable operators and their association, but, according to JACAP, most continue to breach the laws, gaining economic benefit from the unlicensed use of musical works. This, JACAP emphasised, “represents blatant disregard for the laws of Jamaica and the creators of music”.