ASCAP Initiates
Infringement Actions Against Establishments Performing Copyrighted Music
Without Permission
MusicBizAdvice.com wants you to be informed of
legal developments and implications in ASCAP and BMI copyright infringement
cases. This ASCAP press release appeared on Marketwire news release service.
Jul 30, 2007 10:00 ET
NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - July 30, 2007) - The American Society of
Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) today announced that it has filed
26 separate infringement actions against nightclubs, bars and restaurants in
17 states.
In each of the cases filed today, the business establishment has publicly
performed the copyrighted musical works of ASCAP's songwriter, composer and
music publisher members without obtaining a license from ASCAP to do so.
ASCAP reached out to each of the establishments repeatedly over a
significant period of time before taking legal action. In every instance,
the establishment refused to obtain a license, but continued to perform
ASCAP members' music without permission, resulting in the filing of the
infringement actions.
ASCAP protects the rights of its members by licensing and distributing
royalties for the non-dramatic public performances of their copyrighted
works. Those licensed by ASCAP include any establishment or business that
wants to perform copyrighted music publicly.
"ASCAP is simultaneously filing these 26 actions to create awareness among
music users and the public that it is a Federal offense to perform
copyrighted music without permission," said Vincent Candilora, Senior Vice
President of Licensing at ASCAP. "Taking legal action is always ASCAP's last
step in a long process of contacting, informing and educating business
establishments of their obligations under the Federal Copyright Law. With
many of these cases, the process has been going on for over a year, so they
have had plenty of time to do the right thing."
Any business using copyrighted music has the opportunity to obtain
permission to do so lawfully, through acceptance of a license covering the
use of over 8.5 million copyrighted songs and compositions. Nearly 90% of
the license fees ASCAP collects are paid as royalties directly to
songwriters, composers and music publishers. The balance covers ASCAP's
operating costs, which are among the lowest in the world for a performing
rights organization, and the lowest by far in the U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions about licensing can be found on ASCAP's
website at
http://www.ascap.com/licensing/licensingfaq.html.
The establishments listed below have performed publicly the copyrighted
musical works of ASCAP's songwriter, composer and music publisher members
without receiving their permission to do so, resulting in lost income for
these music creators:
Establishment, City, State:
Salty Dawg II, Tucson, AZ
Foxfire Room, N. Hollywood, CA
Pelican Isle, Huntington, CA
Skylark, San Francisco, CA
Snake Pit, Denver, CO
Humphrey's East, New Haven, CT
Kashmir, West Palm Beach, FL
Tequila Willie's, Melbourne, FL
Sanctuary, Atlanta, GA
Rome Street Tavern, Carrollton, GA
O'Hare Gaslight Club, Chicago, IL
Club Paradise, Angola, IN
Registry, Crown Point, IN
Red Maple, Baltimore, MD
Holiday Inn Southfield, Southfield, MI
Razzles, Westland, MI
Janae's West, St. Louis, MO
Cody's Chinese Bistro, Raleigh, NC
Manhattan on Pearl, Nashua, NH
Fusion 215 (f/k/a Nest), New York, NY
Montage Grill, Rochester, NY
Hiro Ballroom, New York, NY
Doghouse Bar & Grill, North Royalton, OH
Nuno's Bar & Grill, Austin, TX
Oakley's, Waco, TX
Ibiza Dinner Club, Seattle, WA
About ASCAP
Established in 1914, ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and
Publishers) is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization
representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million
copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 295,000
songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP also represents the
repertoires created by the international affiliates of 90 foreign performing
rights organizations. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign
affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works
and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the
only American Performing Rights Organization owned and governed by its
writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com.
Back to Feature Articles
Home |
