Ascap & Bmi

[gotrich]

I have spent MUCH MUCH time on this. I contacted the big 3. Ascap, BMI, and the RIAA. I was told that the venue must pay a license fee. I fthey do not pay the fee then they will be in trouble. BMI told me that they go after the venue ..ALTHOUGH they can go after the performer of DJ they don't. What they will do is report the insident to RIAA who can come and check your music. So if someone come up wanting money get their credentials and and number and then call Ascap or BMI. Numbers can be obtained from website or through email.

2nd thing...

I was worried about music I download for example from music match jukebox. In the terms it says not for public performance or profit. Here is the catch. BMI & Ascap Only care about the license for the establishment because for example if Elvis is a member of Ascap and Sinatra is with BMI and a bar hires an impersonator of each guy the bar MUST HAVE A LICENSE from BOTH COMPANIES. In our case we play many different artist so a establishment must have a licence. RIAA says that if WE LEGALLY obtain music ie purchase it. They don't mind. (I was told technically a DJ is not allowed to use CD's..because on a CD it says all rights reserved or something to that nature) This is only a safety net so that if your at a show and BMI walks in and the establishment has no license you or the establish ment can not sue the place music was obtained as part of a group suit.

So purchase music in confidence! And if someone trys to collect from you contact someone. I asked BMI and Ascap and I asked them if I could purchase a license to cover myself incase a bar fails to have a license. I was told they offer NO SUCH thing. They will go after the establishment.

Rich Warne