Capt. Scott wrote:90 dB wrote:Capt. Scott wrote:Ever since the record companies lost revenue from people dl'ing the music for free from the internet, they feel like WE the public are stealing from them.
Now it's a free for all, grab as much money as they can in any way they can.
Politicians are the biggest scumbags, followed by lawyers and then the record companies.
If a venue is featuring cover bands and not paying the PRO's, they are stealing from the copyright owner.
When you do a cover, do you do it just the way they did? 9 times in 10 the answer is NO.
It's this convoluted horseshit that killed the OLGA site.
Pro's don't need the greenbacks, they get paid well to do what they do.
It's the greedy ass record companies and other parasites trying to make $ on the back of the performer.
IF you are a low lvl band that is barely making it, I say let them do what they want.
IF you are a headliner and you are stealing others' music to play at the hillbilly convention, then you need to pay because you are by default making enough to make a difference.
Mr. Burke have you EVER paid BMI or ASCAP for the crap YOU cover>>?
Didn't think so..
Your hostility aside, I would submit that you don't really understand the functions of a PRO. I have been a member of BMI for a long time. They protect the rights of
copyright owners, not 'greedy ass record companies and other parasites'. If the record company owns the publishing rights to a composition, they are entitled to the royalties.
As for me personally paying BMI or ASCAP for performing rights, I would refer you to this, from ASCAP's website:
"12. Aren't musicians, entertainers and DJ's responsible for obtaining permission for music they perform?
Some people mistakenly assume that musicians and entertainers must obtain licenses to perform copyrighted music or that businesses where music is performed can shift their responsibility to musicians or entertainers. The law says all who participate in, or are responsible for, performances of music are legally responsible. Since it is the business owner who obtains the ultimate benefit from the performance, it is the business owner who obtains the license. Music license fees are one of the many costs of doing business."