A bit of information

HBSPro · Post by **HBSPro** » Tuesday May 26, 2009

Hello to all, Ive been a member here for a while still visit Rockpage from time time since Relocateing back to westren Pa eastern ohio area in 2001 trying to keep in touch with a few who are still on here. Ive seen you guys are still having a real problem with PLCB or LCE in that area and it looks like it is not getting any better only ran into a problems with them a couple of times. in the years i was in the area from 1995 to 2001 all i know they were part of the demise to the Full Moon Saloon in barnsboro several years back. but any how we seem to be having a problem in the Pa and Ohio Area with a thing call Azcap or ASSCAP as we are now calling it. It has to deal with an outside organization that is coming in and chargeing club owners a certain dollar amount Per Chair in the place that is holding Live Entertainment i was told it has something to do with Royalties or something of that nature we refer to it kind of like Napster when it was a big issue with music years back..

as i find out more ill let you know but it has so far forced several places to not do any bands or other things related to music.

faceoffmuzik · Post by **faceoffmuzik** » Tuesday May 26, 2009

ASCAP is a performing rights organization that collects royalties for bands having their music reproduced via jukebox, radio, television, whatever. Including public performances of their works.

It is how the original artists get their money from writing/publishing their original works that others profit off of.

Whether you are for it or against it is your opinion (which i respect) but this is nothing new, as they have been around since 1914.

BDR · Post by **BDR** » Wednesday May 27, 2009

Yep, club owners have been paying these fees forever. Kind of a necessary evil like the light bill and as was said, applies to recorded music as well. r:>)

HBSPro · Post by **HBSPro** » Wednesday May 27, 2009

OK

thanks for the reply: is this affecting your area at all or has it pretty much run its course there because of the amount of time its been around. its suddenly just hitting this area really hard for some reason. and with the economy the way it has been lately its just makeing it a bit harder to find places to play. or the clubs that have recently got hit with are reduceing prices to the bands which arn't that great around here to begin with . like everything else we will deal with it.

BDR · Post by **BDR** » Wednesday May 27, 2009

They may just be stepping up enforcement. Who knows? One thing's for sure: Someone's always got their hand out saying, "pay me." r:>)

faceoffmuzik · Post by **faceoffmuzik** » Wednesday May 27, 2009

I wouldn't say that it has "run its course" because afik all the local clubs and venues pay it. Maybe some don't?

I'm not sure if its monthly, quarterly or yearly... but as BadDazeRob essentially says above; it's considered a cost of doing business. People want their money and feel they are legally entitled to it. (again, how you feel about it is your opinion)

It's not a one time thing where they just come to fuck with you, take your money and leave. I'm sure as time goes on they spread into the areas that were previously unenforced but thats just the way it goes, like anything else.

I'm not sure where you live at but I would venture a guess that if you have any larger clubs/venues in the area they were probably aware of these PRO organizations.

I don't know what the legal ramifications are for not paying it but the fees are probably cheaper and easier than fines or a lawsuit.

BassFinger · Post by **BassFinger** » Wednesday May 27, 2009

BadDazeRob wrote:They may just be stepping up enforcement. Who knows? One thing's for sure: Someone's always got their hand out saying, "pay me." r:>)

+1

As far as I know, ASCAP and BMI have always collected licensing fees. Like Rob said, it seems they are stepping up enforcement in the area. I remember some establishments used to post ASCAP and BMI stickers where they posted other licenses and certifications as a representation of their proud support. I just discovered there is a newer agency making its presence known also; SESAC. Its a shame that the fees seem to be so significant that club owners can claim that paying them is affecting their bottom line.

I'd like to learn more about these agencies. My basic understanding would lead me to support them because they pay royalties to publishers, writers and most recently, higher royalties to the musicians performing on the actual recordings. Maybe some 60's and 70's musicians wouldn't be struggling financially if these fees were collected in the past. Although the fees are collected, I suspect that very little goes to paying royalties.

ASCAP, BMI & SESAC. Mmmmmm.... my twisted mind could see other things they could spell out.