In a bold and decisive move, the Jamaica Music Society (JAMMS) has sounded a clear warning to event promoters across the island: no copyright permit, no party. The national licensing body representing the rights of record producers is intensifying efforts to enforce 100 percent compliance with copyright regulations at all entertainment events within the next six months. This aggressive push comes amid growing concern over event promoters staging parties without securing the legally required JAMMS permits—a practice that undermines the earnings of music creators and the integrity of Jamaica’s entertainment industry.
“We are working strategically with all relevant authorities to heighten enforcement by closing all the gaps and limiting the ability of promoters to stage an event without having all the required permits,” explained Evon Mullings, CEO of JAMMS in an interview with the Jamaica Gleaner. Since 2007, Jamaican law has mandated that promoters obtain copyright clearance before hosting events featuring recorded music. Yet despite progress, a stubborn minority continues to bypass this requirement, prompting JAMMS to team up with local authorities and government agencies to stamp out non-compliance once and for all.
The crackdown is not just about legal compliance; it’s about protecting the lifeblood of Jamaica’s cultural economy. Music is classified as an intangible form of property, with the same legal protections as physical assets like houses or cars. As Mullings emphasized, “Strict, consistent and widespread enforcement can be the only way forward, if as a nation we are serious about respecting property rights, which includes intellectual property.” With over 20,000 music-powered events taking place annually in Jamaica, unlicensed use represents a significant loss in revenue—money that should rightfully flow into the pockets of producers and rights holders, both local and international.
Beyond concerts and parties, JAMMS licenses radio and television broadcasters, hotels, banks, supermarkets, and retail outlets that use recorded music. To date, the organization has distributed more than half a billion Jamaican dollars to record producers, with approximately 50 percent paid to international rights holders due to the high volume of foreign music played locally. But with non-payment threatening what Mullings describes as the “pension” of many in the music industry, JAMMS is making it clear: in Jamaica’s vibrant entertainment scene, no permit means no party.
