RIAA Bans Telling Friends About Songs
November 30, 2005 | Issue 41 48

LOS ANGELES The Recording Industry Association of America announced Tuesday that it will be taking legal action against anyone discovered telling friends, acquaintances, or associates about new songs, artists, or albums. "We are merely exercising our right to defend our intellectual properties from unauthorized peer-to-peer notification of the existence of copyrighted material," a press release signed by RIAA anti-piracy director Brad Buckles read. "We will aggressively prosecute those individuals who attempt to pirate our property by generating 'buzz' about any proprietary music, movies, or software, or enjoy same in the company of anyone other than themselves." RIAA attorneys said they were also looking into the legality of word-of-mouth "favorites-sharing" sites, such as coffee shops, universities, and living rooms.
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Don't worry: It's from here:
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/43029

It's not all that far fetched! ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers) and BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) agents routinely "patrol" areas for new clubs offering live music. As most local musicians perform cover tunes, the venues (clubs) are told that they can either pay a licensing fee or face costly litigation. Not only does it include what licensed music the musicians may be performing, but also, with a few exceptions, any television or radio broadcasts that the said establishment might have on during business hours. For a more in depth article on the subject see singer/songwriter Harvey Reid's website:

http://www.woodpecker.com/writing/essays/royalty-politics.html

Capt'n Zap

<center><FONT COLOR="#000080">--- Edited 2 times, lastly by Captain Zap on Dec 07, 2005 ---</FONT></center>

This is very strange synchronicity! All of a sudden all of this stuff about licensing music is popping up in my life! ASCAP showed up at one of the places I played at and charged the owner a licensing fee. Then yesterday, The Hartford Courant ran a story on BMI & ASCAP taking small businesses to court over their unlicensed use of music. It seems that even doctors' and dentists' offices can be fined for the unlicensed playing of music (including radio)at their place of business! Even Karaoke can get fined (not necessarily a bad thing!)>Read the article at:
http://www.courant.com/features/lifestyle/hce-barmusic.artdec08,0,7982045.story

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