Re: Music lic fees for stores

[Marc Lemay <times@massachusetts.com>]

Jibguy@aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 12/29/98 8:23:37 PM EST, brian_vita@cssinc.com writes:
> 
> << Its about time something was done about the folks at ASCAP.  While I don't
>  dispute that artists have a right to be compensated for their works, the
>  folks at ASCAP would go into an establishment and arbitrarily set a
>  licensing fee (based on what the "inspector" thought that they could shake
>  down the establishment for), demand the fee or face legal action.
>   >>
> One wonders HOW MUCH of the "fees" go to the artists and how much is kept by
> ASCAP/BMI/SEASICK;  since they try to justify their fees by helping starving
> artists......
>  .....jibguy


I've been "in" the local music "business" for about 5 years (mostly as a fan, but also as a 
promoter), and I have to tell you ASCAP/BMI and all the other legal music thieves don't give a 
rats behind about the local musician.  

It can take anywhere from 6 months to a year for the agencies to pay up...and sometimes the 
checks don't even pay for a tank of gas.  Some musicians I know don't even register with the 
agencies, simply because it just isn't worth it.  They copyright their music, but don't register 
them.  Some may call this foolhardy, but if you've ever dealt with them, they are horrible to the 
local musician, paying, in some cases, pennies on the song.  Some of the starving artists are still 
starving, and aren't going to get rich off ASCAP, BMI, etc.

Marc Lemay
http://www.massachusetts.com/times

------------------------------