COSCAP (Copyright Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Incorporated) is the non-profit collective management organisation for Barbados, representing over 2,500 local songwriters, composers, music publishers, performers, and producers of sound recordings. Founded in 1997 and formally registered in 1998, it administers performing rights, reproduction rights, and related rights across all music genres. It is best suited for Barbadian and Caribbean music creators who need a local society to license their works and collect royalties from domestic and international use.
How COSCAP Works
COSCAP operates as a multi-right CMO. It licenses businesses that play music publicly in Barbados, including radio stations, television broadcasters, streaming platforms, bars, restaurants, retail stores, hotels, and concert promoters. License fees are collected and distributed to members based on usage data from airplay logs, streaming reports, and live performance set lists.
COSCAP also manages reproduction rights (mechanical royalties) for its members. In January 2024, COSCAP signed a partnership with CMRRA (Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency) and SX Works Global Publisher Services to handle mechanical licensing of its members' works in the Canadian market. This deal gives Barbadian creators access to mechanical royalty collection in Canada without needing separate arrangements.
Internationally, COSCAP has reciprocal agreements with over 50 sister societies worldwide. When a Barbadian songwriter's music is played in the UK, PRS for Music collects those royalties and remits them to COSCAP. The same works in reverse: COSCAP collects on behalf of international societies whose music is played in Barbados.
COSCAP is a provisional member of CISAC (International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers), having joined in 1999. It is also a member of the Association of Caribbean Copyright Societies (ACCS) alongside COTT (Trinidad and Tobago), JACAP (Jamaica), and ECCO (Eastern Caribbean).
In October 2025, the Barbados Parliament passed the Copyright Bill 2025, which for the first time formally grants COSCAP legal standing to bring infringement actions on behalf of its members. Under the previous 1998 Copyright Act, COSCAP's hands were tied because the legislation did not give licensing bodies locus standi (legal standing) before the courts. CEO Dr. Erica Smith hailed the reform as a breakthrough that will allow the society to enforce members' rights more effectively.
Membership is free for creators. COSCAP charges an administrative commission on royalties collected, with rates determined by the membership.
Real-World Example
A Barbadian soca songwriter registers 15 songs with COSCAP. A local radio station in Bridgetown plays 6 of those songs during Carnival season, and a hotel in St. Lawrence Gap holds a blanket license covering background music. Spotify reports 80,000 streams of 10 songs from Barbadian users.
COSCAP collects royalties from all three sources. The radio station's blanket license fee is distributed based on airplay logs. The hotel's fee is distributed based on reported usage. Streaming royalties are distributed based on digital reports from the platform. If the same songs get airplay in the UK, PRS for Music collects those royalties and remits them to COSCAP, which then pays the songwriter in the next distribution cycle.
A songwriter with regular local airplay and moderate streaming numbers might earn anywhere from $500 to $5,000 BBD annually in performance royalties through COSCAP, depending on the frequency and type of use.
Drawbacks / Things to Consider
COSCAP operates in a small market. Barbados has a population of approximately 287,000, which means domestic royalty collections are modest compared to larger societies like ASCAP or PRS. International royalties depend on reciprocal agreements and the speed at which foreign societies report and remit.
CEO Dr. Erica Smith has publicly noted that the Caribbean region faces systemic challenges: high resistance to paying for copyright licenses, widespread use of verbal agreements instead of written contracts, and limited understanding of copyright management among local creators. These factors can delay or reduce royalty collections.
Until the 2025 Copyright Bill, COSCAP had limited enforcement power. While the new law strengthens its position, enforcement capacity in a small jurisdiction remains a practical challenge.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you are a Barbadian songwriter, composer, or publisher, COSCAP membership is the only practical way to collect performance and mechanical royalties for your works in Barbados and internationally. Without it, you would need to individually license every radio station, venue, and streaming platform that plays your music.
Register every composition with COSCAP as soon as it is commercially released. Unregistered works earn zero royalties, even if they receive thousands of plays. Include correct split shares and ISRC codes so your works can be matched to usage data.
If your music is played internationally, COSCAP's 50+ reciprocal agreements mean foreign societies collect on your behalf. You can also submit performance reports directly to flag specific usage. For non-Barbadian artists, your home PRO collects from COSCAP through these same reciprocal agreements when your music is played in Barbados.
Territory Covered
COSCAP administers performing rights, reproduction rights, and related rights exclusively within Barbados. Its licensing authority covers all public performances, broadcasts, streaming, and mechanical reproduction of musical works that occur within Barbados under the Copyright Act (now updated by the Copyright Bill 2025). Through reciprocal agreements, COSCAP also represents the interests of its members globally when their works are performed in other territories.
How to Join and Membership Fees
COSCAP membership is free for creators. There is no joining fee or annual subscription. Songwriters, composers, music publishers, performers, and producers of sound recordings can apply for membership by contacting COSCAP directly at coscapinfo@coscap.org or by phone at +1 246 435 1777.
Applicants must provide proof of authorship or publishing rights over musical works. Once admitted, members register their individual works with COSCAP, including ownership splits between writers and publishers. Members should include correct split shares and ISRC codes so their works can be matched to usage data.
Overhead Rate
COSCAP charges an administrative commission on royalties collected before distributing to members. The exact rate is determined by the membership and is not publicly disclosed in a fixed percentage. COSCAP operates as a not-for-profit company and must sustain its operations through these deductions. In April 2024, COSCAP increased its tariffs by 5% in response to rising operational costs, though the increase did not apply to events licensed based on a percentage of gate receipts (such as live concerts). COSCAP employs 2 staff members and reported annual revenue of approximately $440,700 USD.
Royalty Distribution Schedule
COSCAP distributes royalties to members based on usage data from airplay logs, streaming reports, and live performance setlists. The specific distribution frequency is not publicly documented on the COSCAP website. Members receive payments through bank transfers or cheques. Royalties received from international sister societies are distributed after COSCAP receives statements and funds from those societies.
The amount an individual member receives depends on: (1) the accuracy of performance logs in reporting actual use of the member's songs, (2) the number of times the songs have been reported as broadcast, (3) the number of songs the member has registered, and (4) the number of persons who share rights in the songs.
Reciprocal Agreements
COSCAP has reciprocal agreements with over 50 sister societies worldwide. When a Barbadian songwriter's music is played in the UK, PRS for Music collects those royalties and remits them to COSCAP. The same works in reverse: COSCAP collects on behalf of international societies whose music is played in Barbados.
COSCAP is a provisional member of CISAC (International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers), having joined in 1999. It is also a member of the Association of Caribbean Copyright Societies (ACCS) alongside COTT (Trinidad and Tobago), JACAP (Jamaica), and ECCO (Eastern Caribbean). Additionally, COSCAP is a member of IFPI and FILAIE.
In January 2024, COSCAP signed a partnership with CMRRA (Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency) and SX Works Global Publisher Services to handle mechanical licensing of its members' works in the Canadian market. This partnership also enables COSCAP members to collect online mechanical royalties in the United States through The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC).
In 2023, COSCAP signed a memorandum of understanding with SAMPRA (South African Music Performance Association) that goes beyond standard royalty collection to include market development, creative collaborations, and training initiatives between the two countries.
Notable Members
COSCAP represents over 2,500 local songwriters, composers, publishers, performers, and producers. Notable members include:
- Shontelle Layne - Singer, songwriter, and producer. Received the COSCAP Foundation Award of Excellence. Has written for Rihanna and collaborated with Diane Warren. Known for platinum singles "T-Shirt" and "Impossible."
- The Mighty Gabby (Dr. Anthony Carter) - Cultural Ambassador of Barbados. Calypso legend known for songs like "Jack" and "Emmerton." A founding director of COSCAP.
- Stedson "RPB" Wiltshire - Calypsonian and composer. Three-time winner of the Caribbean Song Contest. Founding director of COSCAP and member of the Barbados Copyright Tribunal.
- Alison Hinds - Soca queen known as the "Queen of Soca." Internationally recognized Caribbean artist.
- Tony Hoyos - Multitalented artist and businessman. One of the first directors of COSCAP. Holds 18 NIFCA Awards of Excellence for songwriting and music performing.
Comparison Table
| Feature | COSCAP (Barbados) | COTT (Trinidad and Tobago) | JACAP (Jamaica) | ECCO (Eastern Caribbean) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Territory | Barbados | Trinidad and Tobago | Jamaica | Eastern Caribbean (6 territories) |
| Join Fee | Free | $150 TTD (one-time) | J$2,500 (one-time) | EC$150 (one-time) |
| Overhead Rate | Not publicly disclosed | Not publicly disclosed | Not publicly disclosed | Not publicly disclosed |
| Distribution Frequency | Not publicly documented | 4 times per year | Twice yearly | 4 times per year |
| CISAC Member | Yes (provisional) | Yes (provisional) | Yes | Yes |
| Founded | 1997 | 1984 | 1998 | 2000 |
Videos
Similar PROs
- COTT - Copyright Music Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago, fellow ACCS member
- JACAP - Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers, fellow ACCS member
- PRS for Music - UK performing rights organization with reciprocal agreement with COSCAP
- CISAC - International confederation of authors and composers societies
Related Resources
- Performing Rights Organizations (PRO) - What a PRO is and how it functions
- Performance Royalties - How performance royalties are generated and collected
- Mechanical Royalties - Understanding the difference between performance and mechanical royalties
- PRO Comparison Guide - Detailed comparison of PROs worldwide
- COSCAP Official Website - Visit COSCAP for membership and licensing information
- Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your digital earnings
