Copyright Settlement Reached Over Regional Political Use of Vincentian Hit ‘Get Rid Ah Dem’ 

'Get Rid Ah Dem' owner Adrian Bailey receives payment after a three-year copyright dispute over the song's use in election campaigns in St Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda.

By Admin. Updated 1:05 p.m., Wednesday, June 24, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

A copyright dispute involving the popular Vincentian song Get Rid Ah Dem has finally been resolved after what the musician’s legal representative described as a lengthy and challenging three-year process.

Entertainment lawyer Franklyn Max E. Edwards has confirmed that the governing St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party has completed payment to musician Adrian Bailey for the unauthorised use of the song during an election campaign.

The settlement brings to an end a matter that Edwards said was difficult not only because an agreement was initially resisted, but also because of the length of time it took for the promised payment to be made.

“It has been a long three years,” Edwards told One News SVG during a telephone interview on Wednesday.

According to information provided by Edwards, Bailey became aware that Get Rid Ah Dem had gained renewed popularity in several Leeward Islands territories and was being used as a campaign song by political parties, including the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party and the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, without permission from the copyright holders.

Bailey subsequently retained Edwards, who contacted representatives of the parties regarding what he described as breaches of copyright law.

Edwards had previously announced that an amicable settlement had been reached with representatives of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party. However, discussions with the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party proved more protracted.

Earlier this year, Edwards publicly stated that despite a promised settlement, payment had not been made and efforts to secure a resolution had stalled. He now reports that the matter has been settled in full.

While declining to disclose the amount paid, Edwards said the outcome demonstrates that copyright protections can be successfully enforced by Caribbean artistes.

He also used the opportunity to urge musicians, particularly those preparing releases for Vincy Mas and other regional events, to formally register their creative works with recognised copyright management organisations.

“It’s always best to have your song registered with a copyright agency in the Caribbean,” Edwards said.

He noted that Bailey’s work had been properly registered, a factor that strengthened efforts to protect and enforce the artiste’s rights.

The attorney said the case serves as an important reminder that songs and other creative works are protected intellectual property and that permission should be obtained before they are used for commercial or political purposes.

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