#NeverTrump Music Lobbyists Sing on William Barr's Doorstep

Townhall.com ^ | May 6, 2019 | Chuck Muth

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

“Abolish ASCAP and BMI.

I shouldn’t have to pay them to have my song broadcast.”

You don’t pay them to have your song broadcast. You pay them, so you’ll get paid, if someone broadcasts your song. Big difference.

[SunkenCiv]

...the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) are now practically camped out on President Trump’s Department of Justice doorstep, hat in hand, asking for a special favor... The problem for individual artists is that there are, literally, tens of thousands of services which broadcast music -- including over 10,000 radio stations and 10,000 cable TV systems. And that doesn’t even include the overwhelming majority of retail stores, bars, and, in many cases, elevator companies that play music in their businesses. Which means it would be virtually impossible for an individual artist to negotiate a royalty agreement to play their music with each one individually. Enter ASCAP and BMI... The problem is, between the two of them, ASCAP and BMI control approximately 90 percent of the music you listen to these days... in order to avoid anti-trust complaints and lawsuits over price-fixing, these two giants entered into “consent decrees” with the Department of Justice way back in 1941. As part of the agreements, the blanket licensing system – allowing businesses and stations to gain access to all the songs managed by both groups at fair rates - was established, and a “rate court” was created to mediate disputes... now ASCAP and BMI are lobbying Attorney General William Barr to dump the consent decrees, or at least loosen up the restrictions... ASCAP and BMI -- provide a valuable service, especially for small service providers and new performers trying to break into the business...

IOW, the entertainment industry nitwits better start to toe the line, or they're going to be cornholed, which a good many will probably enjoy.