[BC] ASCAP and BMI and Rights

[WFIFeng@aol.com]

In a message dated 01/26/2006 12:35:46 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
david at onlinetonight.com writes:

> This isn't about strong-arming someone - it's about methodically and
>  accurately gathering information on what the storefront is doing with
>  copyrighted music, using that information to prepare and present a clear 
and
>  accurate bill and having the storefront pay reasonable fees yearly for the
>  public performance of music that helps to draw and keep an audience.

When they (The Music mafia) can sue a little 2-seater, 1-man barbershop for 
$50,000 because he had a *radio* playing in his tiny shop, that's 
strong-arming, Mafia-esque behavior. When a radio station is already paying exhorbitant 
fees to advertise the music companies' product, and then they want to make a 
local shop pay AGAIN for playing that radio station, yes, I see that as corrupt. 
(Double-billing for the same service.) When they (The Music Mafia) can sue 12 
year old kids and 88 year old grandmas out of house and home, I see that as 
"Guido"-esque tactics. ("Guido" not meant to denigrate Italian-Americans, it is 
symbolic of the Mafia "hitman" who is sent to make you the "offer you CAN'T 
refuse.")

When I talk to people who have music that is played on the radio, who see 
single-digit dollar amount "royalty" checks every year, yet the stations are 
paying through the nose... yes, I see it as wrong.

Perhaps now, with this emerging audio fingerprinting technology, those 
starving artists will be compensated more fairly... but the way it's been going on 
all this time just stinks. The "middleman" lines their pockets while some of 
the rightful recipients get the equivalent of a greasy spoon waitresses' tip 
once a year. Little Mom & Pop businesses get hassled by hotshot lawyers because 
they have a $19.95 "boom box" playing behind the counter, where customers can 
hear it. "Pay up, or we sue you into bankruptcy!" Yeah, that's really fair.

Willie...