REPOSTED FROM NEW-RECORD.COM

March 13, 2006

It's all about the music

Liberty Steakhouse & Brewery ran afoul of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers last year. Now they're suing.

ASCAP is one of the big-three, along with BMI and SESAC when it comes to performers' rights and licensing. Basically, if I'm a songwriter and I want to get paid for other people performing my song, I join one of these groups. And if I'm a business owner and want to have music in my joint, then I'm supposed to make sure it's original or come to some kind of licensing agreement with these groups.

ASCAP claims Liberty didn't have a license when five of its songs were played there last summer. Now they're seeking damages. And Liberty's not alone. ASCAP filed 24 similar cases around the country last month.

One of Liberty's co-owners talked with me about it last week. He wasn't too happy about the suit, as one might understand. But he also said he doesn't want to cheat songwriters out of their due.

As someone who has worked in bars and restaurants that I'm pretty darn sure didn't pay any licensing fees (let's just say if there was any extra money to spread around it wasn't going to a licensing group in New York) when we had the occasional band, I can see how easy it would be to land in hot water. And in a way it seems tough to require a joint to get an expensive license to have the occasional cover band.

As someone with friends who've tried and are trying to make it as professional musicians, it's nice to know there are groups like ASCAP that vigorously protect copyrights. If someone was playing my work and I wasn't getting paid, I'd be a might bit hot.

I guess what I'm saying is that this is one of the stories where I think it's easy to understand both sides.

Anyway, check out tomorrow's paper for a story on it.

Posted by Jonathan Jones at March 13, 2006 08:15 PM

*once again and I repeat, collecting money and suing venues when you have no intention of fairly distributing the cash is theft and fraud!

Here a good question for you - Why won't ASCAP sue the Stiffff Kitties for slander and defamation? The answer: As the accused they will be entitled to force ASCAP into "Discovery". ASCAP will be forced to open their books by law, and reveal ASCAP's dirty little secrets?! Oh no! They just wish real hard that if they ignore them long and hard enough they will eventually go away.

ASCAP is a Corporate Monster Collection Agency with the rubber stamp of "Non-Profit" who collects and collects and then turns to a small fraction of their membership and hands them a TV dinner. To the other members like the Stiffff Kitties, they won't even give them foodstamps. - ASCAPsukz.com /Editor

 

NEWS NEWS NEWS & MORE NEWS!!!

The STIFFFF KITTIES song "KISS MY ASSCAP" Climbs worldwide charts to highest point thus far since it's worldwide release. Click picture below to view the Atlantic Satellite Worldwide charts! This is the Industry's "secret" tip sheet and the ONLY chart in the world not bought and paid for. All I can say is...A) If ASCAP truly thinks this information isn't legitimate - then they have nothing to worry about OR B) If they think it is (and they do know:) their "we're good ole guys " promotion dollars aint working worth Sh.....*t!!! I think it's the later....but we'll give ASCAP their due credit. After all they do own ASCAPsucks.com. At least they we're honest about that one. This is a cut and paste from the July 2006 chart! Hows that for a ASCAP membership campaign?