New York-based record producer Rawlston Charles, owner of Charlie’s Records, intends to seek legal redress against Angostura Trinidad Limited for using a sample of his hit record Lorraine, allegedly without permission, in a musical advertisement to promote its White Oak rum during Carnival 2023. The commercial’s opening line, Taxi, Taxi. Airport Kennedy, is the opening line of Lorraine, famously sung by the late Winston Henry (Explainer).
The commercial, which was released earlier this year across various online platforms, has garnered thousands of views worldwide. Perhaps partly as a result of the advertisement’s success, Angostura Trinidad has recorded a substantial increase in revenue. Charlie’s Records is seeking compensation on the grounds that the company failed to obtain permission to use the copyrighted work to advertise its products.
Angostura Trinidad has denied any responsibility for infringement of Charles’s copyright. However, Charles maintains that an Angostura employee told him that the use in the advertisement of Lorraine’s signature opening line was practically insignificant as it constitutes only “a little part” of the whole.
Charles has vowed to pursue the matter either in or out of court as he considers it an “act of theft”. He is also dissatisfied with the response of the Copyright Organization of Trinidad and Tobago (COTT). Nevertheless, he remains hopeful and determined that the issue will be resolved with the company.
Charlie’s Records has been a trendsetter in the Caribbean music industry since the 1960s.
