A British music publisher believes there is growing interest among Jamaican entertainment figures about securing rights from their intellectual property.

Clare Ram, founder of the London-based Jack Russell Music Limited, was one of the presenters at Music Publishing Masterclass which took place at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel on March 3.

Along with colleague Cimone Coleman, she discussed the intricacies of copyright, songwriting splits, agreements and royalty collection.

“I was pleased with the enthusiasm of the attendees and the eagerness of some of the writers who are new to the business to learn and ask questions. It was also great to see them realise how important it is to have a publisher administering their catalogue,” Ram told the Jamaica Observer.

Although she has been involved with reggae artistes since the late 1970s, it was Ram’s first time sharing her expertise with a Jamaican audience.

Given the complications of music publishing she said it was positive to see a diverse audience.

“It takes a long time to learn how publishing works. I have been in the business for nearly 40 years and I am still learning. I believe that until you actually work at something you are not truly learning,” said Ram, who started her career with British reggae company Greensleeves Records in 1987.

Many Jamaican artistes, especially from the 1960s and 1970s, often complain that they are unable to collect royalties from their music because of questionable contracts signed with record companies.

The emergence of Jamaican copyright organisations in the past 20 years has assisted in educating aspiring artistes about their rights.

Ram started Jack Russell Music Limited in 2007. Some of the Jamaican artistes the company represents are Sly Dunbar, Alkaline, Vybz Kartel, and Ken Parker.

Singers Mikey General, Italee, and Isha Bel, singer-songwriter Sangie Davis, producer Blacka Dread, and musician Everol “Stingwray” Wray were some of the attendants at Music Publishing Masterclass.