[Dixielandjazz] Re: Copyrights

[Richard Broadie]

I'm aware that ASCAP 'Police' monitor clubs for performace of ASCAP 
material.  I'm not aware that, except for evidentiary purposes, that they 
collect the titles of songs performed, especially for royalty payment 
purposes.

Dick B.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave at Creolejazz.com" <dave at creolejazz.com>
To: "Richard Broadie" <rbroadie at dc.rr.com>; <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 30, 2005 7:19 AM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Re: Copyrights


> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Richard Broadie" <rbroadie at dc.rr.com>
>
>> I'm under the impression that ASCAP only collects for broadcast and wired 
>> music services and that live performances are not monitored.   Can anyone 
>> confirm or correct this?   Dick B.
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>
> Dick,
>
> Incorrect. Just a couple of days ago I posted the following message which 
> I'll repost now. It will clear up any question as to whether they monitor 
> and try to collect on live performances....
>
> --------
>
> Some of you might recall my ASCAP story of a year ago. A brief summary 
> now:
>
> ASCAP suddenly started writing and calling the restaurant where we play 
> every Monday night. The owner finally called me about it. He was already 
> paying ASCAP for the canned music piped in through the speakers and 
> resented that they were asking for another sum just because he now had 
> live music once a week for two hours.
>
> I called ASCAP directly and the rep admitted that, although we were 
> playing some Irving Berlin tunes (for example), the funds wouldn't 
> necessarily go to Berlin's descendants. The rep did not even know in what 
> year a tune had to be written to now be public domain. 1924? 1930? No 
> clue. She even said that ASCAP was formed in 1914 and any song written 
> after that was theirs. Sheesh. Even I know better than that.
>
> Finally I asked how they found out about our playing in the restaurant. 
> She said that "Larry", a retired ASCAP man, had eaten at the restaurant 
> and heard our group. He immediately went home, called ASCAP, and 
> "reported" us.
>
> Unbelievable.
>
> Oh, how does it end? The owner is paying ASCAP the additional $280 a year 
> to have us play two hours a week. Of course, he insisted that we cut our 
> fee by $5 a week to help make it back.
>
> I don't get upset easily but ASCAP pisses me off.
>
> Dave
> =============
> Dave Gravatt
> "It's a treat to beat your feet."
> The Creole Dixieland Jazz Band
> Ozark, Missouri
> http://www.CreoleJazz.com
>