One of the hottest songs for 2011 Carnival season may be pulled from rotation on radio stations over a copyright issue.

The Copyright Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago (COTT) is seeking to contact Benjai (Rodney Le Blanc) since the rhythm used in the song, Trini, is the same one used in Singing Dianes 1979 song You Gotta Give Away.

According to COTT Mechanical Lisencing Officer Enrico Camejo, Ed Watson, who wrote the original song, is looking to collect royalties from the use of the rhythm which was allegedly produced at the New York-based Art and Life Studios.

Upon investigations, COTT has found that the Art and Life Studios took the recording, manipulated it, added pieces and made the rhythm without the clearance of the band leader and he has left it to us to take care of it, he said.

The studio will have to pay damages totaling over US$6,000. If they are unable to do so, Benjai may have to pay these damages.

Camejo said the studio said Benjai is not signed with them, he did not pay them for anything and the rhythm was not made for him specifically. He said however if the composer is not compensated, radio stations will have to take the song off rotation.

It is a beautiful song but the rights must be cleared so all could enjoy its benefits. COTT is of the stance that if samples of the original recording were used to make the rhythm, rights have to be cleared, Camejo said.

He said the organisation is expected to attempt to contact Benjai by today. Newsday made attempts to contact the artiste but was told he is out of the country and not expected to return until Tuesday.