Play it again ... and we'll sue - small Venues disappearing as copyright licensing fees get stiffer

Christian Science Monitor ^ | from the January 9, 2009 edition | Tim Holt

[weegee]

Examples of famous cover bands:

What, you didn't know that "Keep A Knockin'" had been recorded by Louis Jordon in 1939 and went back to the 1920s?

[CriticalJ]

There is another side to this issue. Eventually, the licensing agencies will lose money. When no one pays for covers anymore, the supply is gone.

It’s kind of like those discouragement taxes. The taxes are raised in order to discourage the use of an item. Yet, government agencies still budget the money from these taxes. Generally, there is always a shortfall, because the tax works. People find alternatives or quit buying the product/service.

[jagusafr]

“The fallacy of the litigation against these venues is that since there is no audit of just what songs (covers or originals) ARE played, even the represented artists who are being “ripped off” by these open mic (or otherwise booked) artists will not see a dime of the money. Their representation companies are ripping them off and pocketing the annual fees (collected in their names). “

I dunno - I’m an ASCAP member and get royalties based (best I can tell) on a ratio of my number of tunes over the total reported play of all tunes. It ain’t much, but it buys the occasional dinner out.

Colonel, USAFR

[weegee]

ASCAP and BMI want to see their revenue increase every year too. And to a degree, that means shaking down, I mean tapping new revenue streams.

Meanwhile, you can buy rock and roll (including buy artists like Elvis) in England PD now (they are considering changing their copyright laws NOW that the British Invasion acts may lapse).

At some point, PD songs (which would probably include a good chunk of the song library that Tiny Tim used to sing) require no royalty to a corporate hustler.

[rwfromkansas]

On the movie side, the MPAA wanted over 1000 bucks to show a movie for an outdoor movie night when I was in college. We made the mistake of asking for their permission instead of just doing it.

Because somebody called, we cancelled that one until we could look at it later.

[trumandogz]

Yes, all those artists did covers or tributes but they were also able to write their own songs and not have to copy other people’s work to pay rent.

The problem today is that bands play who do not have one original song play in clubs around the country. If they want to play a song that they did nor write they should pay compensation.

Or perhaps they should put pen to paper, write a song and stop ripping off actual artists.

[trumandogz]

[subterfuge]

Or perhaps they should put pen to paper, write a song and stop ripping off actual artists.

I find it odd that a person can connect certain sounds of various noise-makers together and then they OWN that particular sequence of noises. Sound is not a "product." Which are your sequence of noises? I feel like ripping them.

[trumandogz]

Until music cannot have a copyright the music is owned by the person who does the writing.

[subterfuge]

Until music cannot have a copyright the music is owned by the person who does the writing.

Great. How about we station a jackboot in everyone's house and make sure they aren't playing any unapproved tunes too? Actually a wiretap would work and that's probably coming soon. Are you a jukebox type of guy or what?

[trumandogz]

So you do not mind if a steal work that you produce so that I can pay my rent?

[trumandogz]

So you do not mind if a steal work that you produce so that I can pay my rent?

[trumandogz]

So you do not mind if a steal work that you produce so that I can pay my rent?

[the_devils_advocate_666]

I think you forgot one of the most successful cover bands:

[donna]

"Copyright normally lasts in literary, dramatic or musical works, for 70 years from the end of the year that the creator dies. Copyright expires on the 31st December of that 70th year..."

Let's start singing really old songs.

[manic4organic]

We have a distribution “deal” so I’m not sure about Myspace. We also have radio promotion so at least she’s heard all over Texas and beyond. It’s really difficult but I hope her talent will carry her beyond the bullsh*t.

[tsomer]

How about we station a jackboot in everyone's house and make sure they aren't playing any unapproved tunes too?

It wouldn't be the first time.

Remember the Taliban?

[tsomer]

Recognize this guy?

Martin Luther.
Some say that he wrote "A Mighty Fortress is our God" around a tavern drinking song melody. Others dispute this; it bothers them. Maybe it was just a popular melody hitched a ride with the people who went to those places.

But since this is so controversial, how 'bout this guy?

Yup. Bach.
He ripped off Luther!
Served Luther right.

Evidently, having only 12 notes isn't easy enough for these scamps. They have to copy each others' work!

How this den of thieves howls and cries foul when they get served their own broth!

Musicians.
They deserve no consideration, whatsoever, in any civilized society.

And their agents, publishers, enablers?
Even less.

(By the way, I ripped off the artist who painted these pics. Sorry. Fortunately,their dead.)

[tsomer]

By the way,

I think I may possibly have, sort of, well, inadvertently, ripped off Weegee’s post, #21.

Sorry Weegee.

We cool?

You ain’t gonna sue me, right?

[ncdrumr]

There’s a great line in “Tighten Up Your Wig” by Steppenwolf (which my band covers): “Just before we go, I’d like to mention Junior Wells. We stole his thing from him, and he from someone else.”