If I extend what you are saying, effectively the way the recording industry is utilizing copyright is actually stifling creativity? Essentially keeping the possible next U2 from gaining a venue in which to increase their pupularity all because they might break out into a rendition of 'Happy Birthday' for someone?
Out of the ball park. Yes that is exactly correct, I'd love to give a local bands a chance to show there stuff and build a reputation but I can't afford the obscene license fees. And neither can all the other local bars. My bar is 1800 sq ft, a big crowd is 30 or more people, most around here are the same size little neighborhood bars. That is who these laws are hurting, local bands and little bars, local bans can't get a start and little bars get sued. Little venues don't make money on live music, they do it cause they like their customers and love music. Now if they try they get sued. So screw it, no bands.