A legal filing by the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organization for Music Rights (ECCO) has accused several major music users of failing to follow copyright regulations.

ECCO estimates that three regional companies in St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Antigua and Barbuda owe one million (EC) dollars (US$370,300) in royalties. The organization is also taking legal action against two Dominican companies.

“ECCO is unable to achieve its business objective due to the non-compliance by businesses whose use of music is central to their operation,” said ECCO’s general manager Steve Etienne.

“By flagrantly breaking the law or attempting to circumvent their responsibilities as good corporate organizations they are prohibiting ECCO reaching its mandate and must either comply or stop using ECCO’s repertoire of musical works,” he added.