ASCAP recently hit javalounge up for two years of back fees and a current years' licensing to not only play anything over the PA on cd or ipod format, but even local artists covered by ASCAP. Not only can you get hit with a $1,000 fine per transgression with recorded music, but if there's a live music component, a cover song can put a venue another 1,000 bucks in the hole.
They recently served Luna's Cafe with a contract also.
I think they DO go after mom and pop places, and the Sacramento representative is named Jeff. He drives a big black pickup truck with an electronic leg lift and a wife with a huge Tammy Wynette style beehive. Beware the ASCAP!
:I don't think The ASCAP/BMI royalty collector dudes get their panties in a bunch over "mom 'n' pop" places, they mostly keep track of chains, and they only collect a few cents a play in those cases. Your Pizza bros are remembering those fiasco-ass downloading trials and overreacting. Tell 'em to call ASCAP if they're really that worried.
:Also, Focus:
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::Management at the pizza place I work out freaks out every time someone plays a cd in the store, because they claim they're running the real risk of a $10,000 (per artist played) fine at the hands of the music industry. Is there any truth to this? has anyone ever heard of a store getting $10.000 sucked out of them by a record company because they were playing a cd from home on the p.a.? Your thoughts, please.
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