Just wanted to post a note that BMI had recently tried to hit me up at the club I was in a couple of weeks ago. I stood my ground as Steve Walker had said in a previous post, I was not about to stand there and listen to his BS, and was not about to let him dig through my 648 Cdg's by any means of the word.
He was NOT happy at all and actually became obviously angry at my uncooperation. I told him simply that if he wanted to go through my things to get a warrant!!!
He then told me I had to PAY HIM a BMI license fee then and there, he proceded to pull out a form, and by this time I was very upset at his demeanor and the fact that I was having a hard time running my show, since he kept telling me to put the show on hold while he discussed this with me. I would not!!
I talked to the crowd OVER him while he was talking to me and put my hand in his face everytime he tried to get me to stop.
I told him to invoice me, he said I had to do it there and I had to mail it in. I said invoice me or you won't get it!
By then the crowd was very aggitated as well, he walked away from me mumbling and procedded to talk to the owner.
Since the owner witnessed the whole thing already, he told the guy the same thing ...INVOICE ME and get the hell out of my Bar! He was then escorted out by about 5 not so little customers.
End of story. this was 3 weeks ago and I have not seen an invoice yet.
ADMIN NOTE: Good for you!!! From what County Sherriffs, Federal Attorney in Ohio, and even the current owner of SPIN has told us, that is EXACTLY what you should do unless there is a US MARSHALL with him. Then, you are in trouble.
Do NOT ever turn your possessions over to a stranger. If it goes to court and you lose, then the court will tell you to turn your equipment over to them, NOT an individual. KAPA has no legal authority to do anything at your show. They cannot confiscate your equipment. I have never heard that BMI, ASCAP or anyone except a US Marshall has the right to confiscate your equipment.
Just like your experience, we have heard many stories of Hosts who stood their ground and the "buster" was escorted out of the facility by the "bouncers." 