New York, NY, June 21, 2010: ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) announced that it has filed 21 separate infringement actions against nightclubs, bars and restaurants in 13 states.
In each of the cases filed, the business or establishment has either publicly performed the copyrighted musical works of ASCAP’s songwriter, composer and music publisher members without obtaining a license from ASCAP to do so, or had signed a license agreement with ASCAP but failed to comply with the license’s payment terms. In every instance, the establishment refused to obtain a license or pay the fees owed under the license, but continued to perform ASCAP members’ music without permission, resulting in the filing of the infringement actions.
ASCAP protects the rights of its members by licensing and distributing royalties for the non-dramatic public performances of their copyrighted works. Those licensed by ASCAP include any establishment or business that wants to perform copyrighted music publicly.
Full story here: http://www.ascap.com/press/2010/0621_ASCAP_21InfringementActions.aspx