[BC] ASCAP and BMI and Rights

[Larry Fuss]

> The law is clear, and the legal assignment of rights and enforcement of
those rights to ASCAP,
BMI and SESAC here in the US is also just as clear.

Laws are usually passed as a result of pressure on politicians applied by
certain interest groups.
In this case, the music licensing organizations.  (The current laws date
back to the use of player
pianos at public events and pre-date broadcasting).  And just because a law
is on the books doesn't
make it right.  The current law is flawed and it's time that broadcasters
all banded together and 
lobbied Congress to change the copyright laws and what constitutes "public
performance."  If I 
take your song and use it to promote my product (like using "Like A Rock" in
a car commercial), 
play it from a stage at an event where admission is charged (a concert), or
make copies of it to 
sell, then I have clearly infringed on your copyright unless I have made
prior arrangements with
you.  However, "casual" performance, such as playing a song on the radio (we
don't charge people 
to listen to the radio); or playing a radio in a store (the store owner also
makes nothing from it)
should be exempt.  

LF