Coming To A Coffeeshop Near You

[mojobone]

http://www.zeropaid.com/news/87300/roya ... c-venues/I doubt the person that wrote the above article has dealt with these issues for very long, judging by the "Whattayamean it's not free" slant of the article. I've known business owners who've balked at paying these license fees, but is this a problem in your area? My state settled this years ago by presuming a jukebox license to cover public performance as well-PROs are not allowed to double dip on bars that feature live music, BUT it may be trouble for the coffeehouses that don't already have a jukebox license. How does this work where you live? Should you complain about this to your PRO?

[len123]

Hmm, I don't know that much about it, but the article did mention $650 per year for one license. But I suppose to really put it into perspective or to be fair, he should have given a few figures on how much the venues can hope to profit per year also. I suppose if it was only $650 per year, they would break even, but then you have to figure in the intangibles, like maybe nobody would come just to drink and not hear music??lol!!! Maybe they will change to conversation bars and coffeehouses? Or did they already try that?lol!!!

[guscave]

When I see club owners complaining about issues like this, it makes me laugh. I mean really, the licensing fee is not that expensive. And the amount is usually determined according to their capacity. Even if the club only plays original material and the PRO's still ask for money, they can speak to the local reps to explain that they don't play covers. If that doesn't work, they can simply wait until they are subpoena and explain it to the judge. However I don't know of any clubs down here which don't play covers at least in between a band's sets.There was a club here in Miami which netted close to $10k per week. The owner refused to pay the yearly licensing fee cause he was d#!%$k. ASCAP spent 3 years asking this guy to pay, but he refused. The club eventually closed down and the PRO's never got their money.These clubs make money in part because of the music that is played. I just have no sympathy for those who refuse to pay PRO licensing.