If a musician wants to rent a room, charge admission and perform copyrighted music he must have a concert license from ASCAP, BMI or anyone else who owns the rights to the material he is performing.
Just because there are lawbreakers concerning this, does not mean that it is OK to violate the copyright laws.
If you don't want to buy the music, fine. But to steal it is to break the copyright laws.
If you want a list of the bar owners and musicians who have gotten "nailed" for violating copyrights, you can probably get a list from ASCAP.
"If you don't want to buy the music, fine. But to steal it is to break the copyright laws."
They are trying to get me to pay for music that I have bought and re-bought. Who's really doing the stealing here?
Also, If I download a song, like it, and go buy the album, is the song I downloaded still "stolen"? Likewise, if I own the CD but I left it at home, can I download so me and my friend listen? You have made it quite clear what the vast rights of the RIAA are, now what are MY rights?
Look, what's happening here is the world is changing. You and others may not like it but music distribution and sales as we know it is over. It just is.
>>ASCAP polices bars and restaurants to insure that they have the correct license to play recorded music or to have live music.<<
I used to spend a lot of time on Harmony-central talking to other musicians about gigging and recording. One guy was playing a club that only allowed "original" bands. One overt reason was he refused to pay the ASCAP protection money. Well, they were thereatened with a cease and desist lawsuit by ASCAP because there was the RISK of someone playing a cover song (like the traditional version of Happy Birthday). The guy didn't want the hassle so he just ended live music in his club.
But you do not need ASCAP, BMI or anyone elses blessing to play live music. It just can't be copyrighted.
Help me out here.
Lets say a couple of friends of mine decide we want to get a few low paying gigs serenading seniors at convalescent homes or whatever.Just for fun and to make some folks happy.
Are you saying we have to pay ASCAP a fee for our very amatuerish versions of So This Is Love and One Summer Night?
Thats twisted to me.