COTT pays out $1.6M to members

According to COTT in a release yesterday, the exact sum of $1,677,076.76 represents broadcasting and general licensing fees collected on behalf of the members for the year 2005, as well as royalties remitted by the organisation’s regional and international affiliates.

It said said broadcasting and general royalties totalled $1,477,206.54, an increase of 10.58 percent from payments made last year.

The balance, $199,870.22, represents royalties remitted from affiliated music rights organisations in respect of broadcasts and performances of COTT members’ music overseas, COTT stated.

They added that the sum of $582,145.47 will be distributed in broadcasting royalties, a 31 percent increase from last year’s $443,694.72.

General royalties (collections from concerts, fetes, restaurants, bars, clubs, business places DJ’s) amounted to $895,061.07, a slight increase from last year’s $892,211.25, COTT revealed.

“The figures quoted refer only to royalties due to COTT members. Royalties for foreign affiliates will be remitted in August,” the organisation said.

This is COTT’s second distribution to members for the year. Last February, members received royalties amounting to $176,007.27 for foreign receipts and recording rights for the period July to December 2005.

Royalties are distributed four times per year.