Why I Don't Understand Copyright in Trinidad and Tobago

Yesterday, a cousin and myself headed into a DVD rental store in Trinidad and Tobago. We both commented how well set up this one was - very professional. Custom shelves were built for the DVDs, and all the DVDs had high quality print copies of the cases. The 'screener' versions were separated; those were brand new but lacked the DVD menus and everything else. The full versions, the majority, were all around - like the picture at the right (which you can see here.

It was only a few days ago that I had lunch with the WIPO representative for the region. I laughed.

Here's how the system in this place works: All DVD covers on display have a number on them. Pieces of paper and pencils are provided; you write the numbers on the paper and you proceed to the counter. There, they type the numbers into the computer and see if they have it in stock - and if it's in stock, where it is. 3 DVDs for $25 TT - figure roughly $4 US. Unlicensed copies that would have the MPAA cringing. Oh, and there's PS2 games as well! Yup. Everything you want.

For you, my friend, special bargain...

Very professionally done. It seems like a legitimate way to do business, unless you have a clue about copyright. The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works. Now - let's put this into context.

The Copyright Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago (COTT) has people who wander around to business places that play the radio and force them to pay a fee (although that fee should be paid by the broadcasters already, which makes it redundant and morally questionable). So they pay people to wander around and be radio and television nazis. Now, they've said that it's because of the Berne Convention - but I've done a fair amount of travelling, and this is the only signatory of the Berne convention which charges both broadcasters and listeners.

Seems to me that they could save money by just charging the broadcasters. Then they wouldn't have to pay people to wander around in search of businesses with radios and televisions. It makes no sense. But these same people who are wandering around... do they skip movie rental places? They'll harass street vendors on Frederick Street, but the people with business places are allowed to do it? Isn't that some form of prejudice? Shouldn't the law prosecute both equally? Movies are most certainly copyrighted works. Ask the MPAA.

This is the problem with selectively enforced laws. COTT is sending mixed signals, like so many other entities out there. It's laughable, really. Sort of like calling the police and them responding that they don't have a car to respond, or that they can't leave the station.

Never a dull moment.