Playing copyrighted music in Trader Vic's - Tiki Music

K Kenike Tiki Socialite McKinney, TX Joined: Jul 24, 2003 Posts: 1207	K Kenike Posted posted on Tue, Aug 21, 2007 6:34 AM On 2007-08-21 06:12, Tiki Bill wrote: Someone is yankin' your chain an Vic's. They couldn't play "Disco Duck" without a license, so why not Martin Denny? If not ASCAP or BMI, they would still have to pay for "Muzak" or something. Bottom line, if you use an artists music to help "bring in the crowds", and you make money from the crowds, you owe a piece of that money to the artist. Believe it or not,even "happy birthday to you" is a copywriten song, NOT public domain (someone else bought the copyright just before it went public domain). ASCAP is ruthless, that's why I am a member. I've heard of clubs trying to get out of paying ASCAP saying "we only have original bands here" and ASCAP says "Do your wait staff ever sing happy birthday to customers? Pay up!". Vic's is paying someone, otherwise there would be no music playing at all. Tiki Bill. Are you saying that even if it's broadcast through public airwaves (i.e. radio) they still have to pay a fee? That means they might as well be playing CD's. If that's the case, someone is definitely yanking my chain, or I should say the bartender who told me this was totally misinformed. As was mentioned before, the real issue remains that they have to recognize the fact that music is part of the atmosphere they are trying to create. Maybe it's not as important to their bottom line as the food or the service, but it's likely to drive some people away (like me). I also know for a fact that I'm not the only one who has complained, so why it hasn't been seriously addressed I'm not completely sure. I need to find a way to make them realize the importance. I know upper mgt., so maybe a well written email about how music affects atmosphere might help? I just dunno....

On 2007-08-21 06:12, Tiki Bill wrote:
Someone is yankin' your chain an Vic's. They couldn't play "Disco Duck" without a license, so why not Martin Denny? If not ASCAP or BMI, they would still have to pay for "Muzak" or something. Bottom line, if you use an artists music to help "bring in the crowds", and you make money from the crowds, you owe a piece of that money to the artist. Believe it or not,even "happy birthday to you" is a copywriten song, NOT public domain (someone else bought the copyright just before it went public domain). ASCAP is ruthless, that's why I am a member. I've heard of clubs trying to get out of paying ASCAP saying "we only have original bands here" and ASCAP says "Do your wait staff ever sing happy birthday to customers? Pay up!".
Vic's is paying someone, otherwise there would be no music playing at all.

Tiki Bill.

Are you saying that even if it's broadcast through public airwaves (i.e. radio) they still have to pay a fee? That means they might as well be playing CD's. If that's the case, someone is definitely yanking my chain, or I should say the bartender who told me this was totally misinformed.

As was mentioned before, the real issue remains that they have to recognize the fact that music is part of the atmosphere they are trying to create. Maybe it's not as important to their bottom line as the food or the service, but it's likely to drive some people away (like me). I also know for a fact that I'm not the only one who has complained, so why it hasn't been seriously addressed I'm not completely sure. I need to find a way to make them realize the importance. I know upper mgt., so maybe a well written email about how music affects atmosphere might help? I just dunno....

Post #326978 by Kenike on Tue, Aug 21, 2007 6:34 AM