True, only this is where things become complicated. ASCAP in the past has filed lawsuits against venues who don't pay, even when they venues claimed they only played "independent" or original music, or BMI music for that matter. I did read of a somewhat recent court ruling that might change that, based on the idea that the organizations practices are anti-competitive: http://www.indiemusician.com/2005/01/intellectual_pr_4.html)
In my opinion, the whole copyright/royalty system is a huge scam slanted towards the big record labels. Some kind of alternative to ASCAP/BMI is desperately needed within the US music industry, just like we need indie labels to band together against the RIAA. I'd be very curious if anyone knows of any alternatives that may be viable or moving in that direction? I may start a music publishing company and indie record label at some point, so this is really important to me! ~David ---------- Original Message ------------- Subject: Re: FW: (313) Digital Rights Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2005 14:52:23 -0500 From: matt kane's brain <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "David Bate" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> At 01:16 PM 2/17/2005, David Bate wrote: >Or the RIAA which tends to like to act on behalf of the copyright owners. > > >But at least out here in Portland, OR, it hasn't been unheard of >ASCAP & BMI contacting nightclubs, and verifying permissions to >play public performances of published works. true, but only on behalf of their members. there are plenty of dance labels not involved in the RIAA (not sure about the ASCAP/BMI bit though) -- unsigned short int to_yer_mama; matt kane's brain http://www.hydrogenproject.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] || AIM: mkbatwerk
