Santo Domingo. – For the first time in the Dominican Republic, collective management entities of music sign an agreement to operate through the Inter-Associative Body for Joint Collection of Related Music Rights, simplifying processes for users and consolidating the transparency of the system.
In a groundbreaking step for the copyright system in the Dominican Republic, this Tuesday, March 3, the first agreement integrating the main collective management entities of music under an organ of copyright and related rights was signed at the headquarters of the National Copyright Office (ONDA).
The event was attended by the presidents and representatives of the governing boards of each entity, as well as the institutional support of ONDA and its director, licenciado José Ruben Gonell Cosme.
The main immediate benefit of the agreement falls to users – commercial establishments, media outlets, platforms, and event organizers – who from now on will receive a single invoice and deal with a single manager, instead of managing payments and licenses separately with different entities.
This unified model not only reduces administrative burdens and operating costs, but also facilitates negotiation and formalization of agreements, allowing the user to regularize their obligations with greater agility and legal certainty.
Furthermore, the joint system will strengthen transparency through the implementation of better technological practices, integrated organizational processes, and coordinated training programs among all actors in the author ecosystem.
The signing entities
The Interassociative Body for Joint Collection of Related Rights of Music is made up of:
- General Society of Authors, Composers and Music Publishers (SGACEDOM)
- Collective Management Entity of Musical Arrangers (EGECAM)
- Dominican Society of Phonographic Producers (SODINPRO)
- Dominican Society of Performing Artists (SODAIE)
The articulation of these entities within a common structure reflects a high level of institutional maturity and a shared commitment to strengthen the collective management system in the country.
The agreement has also received the backing of international federations representing the holders of each sector, which reinforces the legitimacy of the adopted model and projects the Dominican Republic as a regional benchmark in terms of modernization of collective management.
Historical debt with the creators
During the signing, the managers expressed their firm commitment to promote the implementation of the Private Copying right in the Dominican Republic.
This mechanism – recognized in multiple jurisdictions – establishes fair compensation for authors, composers, performers, and producers for the reproduction of their works in the private sphere. As the representatives pointed out, its adoption in the country constitutes a historical debt to Dominican creators, who for years have not received remuneration for this type of use.
Implementing Private Copying would not only align the country with international standards but also strengthen the economic sustainability of the creative sector, incentivizing cultural production and ensuring fair compensation for the legitimate use of works.
This agreement marks a before and after in Dominican collective management. Operational integration, transparency, the use of technology, and inter-institutional coordination consolidate a more efficient, modern, and balanced system.
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In short, the Inter-Associative Body for the Joint Collection of Related Rights of Music, shows the will of the rights holders to continue advancing in the protection and strengthening of copyright in the Dominican Republic, for the benefit of both creators and users and the cultural industry as a whole.
