Specialist report warns of "negligence" by authorities in private registration of the National Anthem

Santo Domingo, DR - A report prepared by a specialist hired by businessman Santiago Matías warns of an alleged oversight by the Dominican authorities in the registration and control of the Dominican National Anthem on digital platforms such as YouTube and other music streaming services. According to the document, there was a "lack of institutional follow-up, especially by the Ministry of Culture, the National Copyright Office (ONDA), and collective management entities," which allowed third parties to: Monetize a national symbol, claim non-existent rights, and generate private income on a public good.

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The report indicates that the National Anthem was registered under the "Glocal Orchestra" project, with the ISRC ITC471801192, attributed to José Rufino Reyes Siancas, which, according to the analysis, constitutes an irregular use for commercial purposes.

Faced with this situation, the specialist recommends:

• Review and block the ISRC.
• Notify IFPI and distributors.
• Activate the intervention of the Ministry of Culture and ONDA.
• Eliminate any form of private monetization of the National Anthem.

All of this by attaching the evidence from Music Report, Sounddeck, and SoundExchange.

Statement by Santiago Matías

In a video released on his social media, Santiago Matías deplored the lack of follow-up and firmness from the authorities, stating that he decided to consult a specialist with the intention of defending the national symbols, which, according to his recollection, cannot be appropriated, registered, or monetized as private works, as they are protected by the Constitution and Law 65-00 on Copyright. "Here is the specialist's report, and I, as a Dominican, who feels the pain of his country and how these essential things are neglected, such as protecting the National Anthem of our Dominican Republic, here I am adding the steps that the State has to take so that this is eliminated, and the complaints of many patriots who use our national symbols to exalt our liberators and always remember our essence as Dominicans, which is being appropriated by a third party," he said. The businessman maintained that his objective is for the State to act to eliminate any form of private commercialization of the Dominican National Anthem, and urged the authorities to use the report as a basis for correcting the situation.