Musician sues COTT

Was local musician Solomon Gabriel the victim of an All Fool’s Day trick when the Copyright Organisation of TT granted him a mechanical licence effective April 1, 2003, and then allegedly revoked it? If COTT did so, Gabriel is certainly not laughing. Gabriel, trading as Sidewalk Radio, has sued COTT over the revocation of the licence which involve nine copyrighted songs of the late Andre Tanker. Solomon is claiming that he had applied for and was granted a valid mechanical licence by COTT on April 1, 2003, to re-master, compile and promote nine copyrighted recorded songs of musician Tanker for sale under the Copyright Act.

In his writ, filed by attorney Felix Durity, in the Registry of the Port-of-Spain High Court, Gabriel alleges that seven days later (April 8 ) COTT revoked the licence, and he is asking the court to declare that such a revocation was unlawful and illegal. He is also asking that an alleged search by COTT the following day (April 9 ) of his office be declared unlawful and or illegal. He is also asking for an order that COTT pay him damages, loss suffered by COTT’s alleged revocation of the licence, aggravated damages and costs. The matter is listed for hearing on April 22.