JACAP (Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers) is the Jamaican performing rights organisation. Registering with JACAP allows Jamaican songwriters and Caribbean artists to collect royalties from performances and broadcasts in Jamaica. This step-by-step guide covers the registration process for UK-based artists.
What JACAP is
JACAP (Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers) is the Jamaican performing rights organisation (PRO), responsible for licensing the public performance and broadcast of musical works in Jamaica and distributing the resulting royalties to registered members. JACAP is the primary collection mechanism for performing rights income generated in Jamaica — from radio, television, venues, sound system events, and digital services. JACAP is a member of CISAC, the international body of collecting societies, which allows it to operate reciprocal agreements with other PROs including PRS for Music.
Who should register with JACAP
JACAP membership is relevant for:
- Jamaican songwriters and composers, whether based in Jamaica or overseas.
- UK-based artists of Jamaican origin whose music is regularly performed, broadcast, or streamed in Jamaica.
- Caribbean artists with significant Jamaican audience or broadcast presence.
- Artists who write reggae, dancehall, dub, roots, or other Jamaican music genres with active Jamaican airplay.
Do you need JACAP if you already have PRS?
PRS and JACAP have a reciprocal agreement. If your compositions are registered at PRS and performed or broadcast in Jamaica, JACAP should collect those royalties and route them back to PRS for distribution to you. In theory, a PRS member does not need direct JACAP membership for Jamaican income. In practice, the reciprocal system works best when: the works are registered with clean metadata at PRS (correct ISWC, accurate titles), and the JACAP-PRS reciprocal agreement is active and functioning for your specific usage type. Direct JACAP membership gives you better visibility into your Jamaican income and a direct relationship for resolving disputes or reporting gaps.
Step-by-step JACAP registration
To register as a JACAP member from the UK:
- Visit jacap.org and navigate to the membership or join section. JACAP accepts applications from overseas members.
- Complete the membership application form with your personal details: full legal name, address, date of birth, nationality, and contact information.
- Provide your PRO affiliations: if you are a PRS member, include your PRS membership number and IPI number.
- Prepare a list of your works: titles, co-authors and their shares, the date of creation, and any existing registrations (PRS work numbers, ISWCs if assigned).
- Pay the JACAP membership fee: check the current fee on the JACAP website as this can vary. JACAP charges an annual membership fee.
- Submit the application and await confirmation. JACAP will review your application and confirm membership.
- Once approved, register your individual compositions in your JACAP member account.
- Notify PRS of your JACAP registration so that your PRS profile is updated to reflect both affiliations.
After registration: what to do
Once registered with JACAP, ensure your works are correctly registered at both JACAP and PRS with consistent metadata. Title spellings, co-author names, and share percentages must match across both registrations. Discrepancies between your PRS registration and the works you submit to JACAP can cause matching failures when the societies exchange usage data. JACAP distributes royalties to its members on a schedule — check the current distribution calendar on the JACAP website.
Code Group Music assists UK-Caribbean artists with JACAP registration and coordination with PRS for Music. If you are unsure whether your Caribbean income is being collected correctly, start with a catalog assessment at codegroupmusic.co.uk/#catalog-assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does JACAP registration take?
JACAP processes membership applications on a review basis. Allow several weeks for processing from submission to confirmation. Preparing a complete application with all required documents (works list, PRO affiliations, personal ID) speeds up the process.
Can I register with JACAP and PRS at the same time?
Yes. There is no restriction on holding both PRS and JACAP memberships. They are complementary, not conflicting. Inform both organisations of your dual membership so their reciprocal data exchange is correctly configured for your profile.
What income does JACAP collect that PRS does not?
JACAP collects specifically from Jamaican sources: Jamaican radio and television broadcasters, Jamaican public performance venues, Jamaican sound system events, and Caribbean digital services. PRS collects UK and international income via its reciprocal network, which includes JACAP income — but the PRS-JACAP reciprocal may not cover every type of Jamaican usage. Direct JACAP membership ensures more complete coverage of Jamaican income.
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