Quote:
Originally Posted by Marty C
Please tell me you guys are joking about this group ASCAP. Most all of us sing some covers. You mean this is an issue? How is it that 100+ venues in Nashville do the 16 hours per day?
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First there is a lot of misunderstanding and a fair amount of non objective thinking, often with a hint of unrealized hypocrisy, associated with this "issue"
PRO's (
Performing
Rights
Organizations) are not a "joke"
Nore is the notion of protecting the intellectual property rights of songwriters and publishers .
When businesses or organizations utilize music in any fashion, that has copyrights attached to it, they are legally obligated to pay the fees associated with the use of that music. Unless and until they can qualify or negotiate an exemption'
So most likely The 100 + venues in Nashville you speak of , simply pay those fees as part of their operating business expenses.
And yes it is an "issue" when they do not, and yes it has been widely abused in the past .
Not to mention PRO's have a fiduciary responsibility to their members to attempt to collect copyright fees.
With some exception, most open mic's are taking place in a business establishment or organization facility and in objective practical terms the function serves to create awareness of, and or, bring traffic to that establishment (much like any other form of advertizing) even if they don't much or any profit from the Open Mic itself.
Most people who complain about performing rights fees, would never consider not getting paid themselves , to do whatever it is they do, to make a living. Yet hypocritically think that copyright holders should just exactly that, not get paid.