BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE proposed vetting of Calypsos entering in this year’s Carnival Competition would not be applied, according to St. Kitts and Nevis National Carnival Committee (NCC).
This decision comes after the body took into consideration the feedback from calypso artistes, Chairperson of the NCC Noah Mills told SKNVibes today (Oct. 6).
Over the past few weeks, artistes led by Opposition member of Parliament Konris Maynard had voiced their displeasure at the move which was tied into Article Six of the Carnival Committee’s Policy.
Article Six is a new policy that was introduced this year for all musical competitions under Carnival management that would see submitted compositions being vetted for possible plagiarism.
Maynard, who spoke with SKNVibes, explained that he learnt of the vetting process shortly after he registered for the competition, noted that the policy did not sit well with those artistes who were present at a recently held meeting, where they all voted for the withdrawal of the Article.
He however expressed satisfaction with the move taken by the Committee to not apply the clause during the entry process.
“I learnt this week that the Carnival Committee withdrew that clause and has now reverted to what was there before, which is the indemnity clause or page prior, which absorbs the Committee of any liability with respect to the lyrics a calypsonian may sing. We are happy that this has happened [and] it is a victory for democracy.”
Maynard, who was asked to sit on the NCC but was unable due to commitments, recommended that a special sub-committee be established that would listen to all calypsos played on the airwaves or at the various calypso tents.
In a detailed statement, the NCC sought to explain the rationale to have Article Six applied this year: “The St. Kitts Nevis National Carnival Committee (SKNNCC), in its attempt to further educate local Artistes participating in National Carnival, on the yin and yang of Intellectual Property Rights Violations, recently introduced what is labeled Article 6.”
Additionally, the Committee noted that it is also intended “to protect all entities from possible lawsuits as they relate to an Artiste sampling another entity’s music, lyrics, or melodies without the expressed permission from the rightful owner”.
Going forward, the Committee would seek to educate Soca artistes, calypsonians and bands on Intellectual Property Rights in two phases.
The first phase involves artistes sensitivity programmes regarding Intellectual Property Rights, while the second one would have the artistes undertaking a number of programmes.
“The Soca Competition Sub-Committee will host a Seminar on Intellectual Property Rights, Artiste Registry and Copyrighting Intellectual Property, and the ramifications of related violations, for Soca Artists and Bands. Said Seminar will also be held for Calypsonians,” the statement said.
