NATIONAL MUSICIANS WORKSHOP
Susuga Peseta Mulinuu Su’a led the event with an Opening Prayer, setting a tone of reverence and unity.The Assistant Chief Executive Officer for Registry Companies and Intellectual Property Susuga Houlton Faasau, delivered the opening Remarks on behalf of the Minister, highlighting the government’s objective is to collaborate with the Samoa Association of Musicians (SAM) to establish a national collective management. A study by the Confederation of International Societies of Authors and Creators (CISAC) in 2000 highlighted that Samoa was too small to host Collective Management Organization (CMO). However, Susuga Houlton Faasau quoted “The Honourable Minister was confident that with man it is impossible but with God all things are possible”.
The Assistant Chief Executive Officer also emphasized on how the collaboration between RCIP, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), APRA AMCOS and MBIE (New Zealand) funded by the Government of Australia was the result of the National Copyright Workshop in 2017. But because of the lack of coordination among the local musicians prevented the Government from advancing this project. However, on 7th of April 2025, the Samoa Association of Musicians was formally incorporated.
Susuga Houlton Faasau notified the attendees that the Government of Samoa through RCIP donated $2000 tala to help with the prizes of a National Competition for Original Compositions in Upolu and Savaii, cohosted by SAM and RCIP. He mentioned that the money was just to start but there will be more support by Government in the future as RCIP and SAM collaborate to establish a national collective management.
Tuala Uili Jr. Lafaele the president of the Samoa Association o Musicians also presented and shared his experience and passion to help local musicians from Savaii who attended the workshop to produce and monetize their works. Music Teachers and students from Amoa College and Mata Ae Vave College were also in attendance and showed much interest in streaming their woks to earn some money.
The RCIP workshop witnessed a substantial turnout of about 25 individuals. The event served as a platform for Musicians to exchange ideas, share best practices, and reaffirm their commitment to harnessing the power of intellectual property for the collective benefit of Samoa.
Today marks the conclusion of World Intellectual Property Day 2025, a significant milestone in promoting awareness and understanding of intellectual property rights in Samoa.
For further information, please contact the Registry of Companies and Intellectual Properties.
