ASCAP Seeks to Protect its Songwriters' Livelihoods with Legal Action Against 13 Venues Nationwide for Performing Musical Works Without Permission

NEW YORK, March 5, 2024 -- The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) announced today that it has filed 13 separate copyright infringement actions against bars and restaurants nationwide, arising out of the unauthorized public performance of its members’ copyrighted musical works.

ASCAP is a membership association that operates on a not-for-profit basis and represents more than 960,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers. ASCAP ensures its members can earn a living from their art by licensing the public performances of their songs, collecting those license fees, and distributing royalties to its members. Nearly 90% of the license fees ASCAP collects goes directly to songwriters, composers and music publishers as royalties.

“Businesses use music because it helps to create an ambiance that brings customers back and makes them stay longer,” commented ASCAP Executive Vice President, Head of Licensing Stephanie Ruyle. “Hundreds of thousands of well-run businesses across the nation recognize this and understand that compensating the songwriters who created it is the lawful and right thing to do. However, each of the establishments sued today has decided to use music without paying its creators. By filing these actions, ASCAP is standing up for songwriters whose music is essential to those businesses and their customers.”

Songwriters earn their livelihoods by licensing the performance right granted to them under copyright law. Any business using copyrighted music has the opportunity to obtain permission to do so lawfully through a simple license, which covers the entire ASCAP repertory of over 19 million musical works. The average cost for bars and restaurants amounts to less than just $2 per day for the right to play an unlimited amount of music.

ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President, songwriter Paul Williams added: “We want every business that uses music to prosper, including bars and restaurants. As songwriters and composers, we must earn our livelihoods through our creative work, and music is how we put food on the table and send our kids to school. Most businesses know that an ASCAP license allows them to offer music legally, efficiently and at a reasonable price – while compensating music creators fairly.”

 ASCAP has made numerous attempts at the establishments listed below to offer a license and educate the business owners about their obligations under federal copyright law. Despite these efforts, the owners of these establishments have repeatedly refused to take or honor a license. Instead, they have continued to perform the copyrighted musical works of ASCAP's songwriter, composer and music publisher members for the entertainment of their patrons without obtaining permission to do so.

Establishment (City, State)

Bull City Ciderworks (Wilmington, NC)

Celsius Night Club (Fort Myers, FL)

Dillons Restaurant and Sports Bar (Lawrenceville, GA)

Influence Restaurant & Lounge (Norcross, GA)

Route 65 Pub & Grub (East Bethel, MN)

Scoreboard Sports Bar & Grill (Crowne Plaza) (Woburn, MA)

Sean Ryan Pub (Vero Beach, FL)

Strasse Haus (Covington KY)

SWAY Nightclub (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)

Tequila House Night Club (Charlotte, NC)

The Cabin Whiskey & Grill (Peoria, AZ)

Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant (Wesley Chapel, FL)

W. T. Shorty's Sports Grill (Denver, CO)

More information about ASCAP’s licensing of bars, restaurants and music venues can be found on ASCAP's website at: http://www.ascap.com/whywelicensevenues

About ASCAP

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership association of more than 1.1 million songwriters, composers and music publishers, and represents some of the world’s most talented music creators. In 2022, ASCAP reported record-high financial results of $1.522 billion in revenues and $1.388 billion available in royalty distribution monies to its members. Over the last eight years, ASCAP has delivered a 6% compound annual growth rate for total revenues, and a 7% compound annual growth rate for total royalty distributions to members. Founded and governed by songwriters and composers, it is the only performing rights organization in the US that operates on a not-for-profit basis. ASCAP licenses a repertory of over 20 million musical works to hundreds of thousands of businesses that use music, including streaming services, cable television, radio and satellite radio and brick and mortar businesses such as retail stores, hotels, clubs, restaurants and bars. ASCAP collects the licensing fees; identifies, matches and processes trillions of performances every year; and returns nearly 90 cents of every dollar back to its members as royalties. The ASCAP license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. ASCAP puts music creators first, advocating for their rights and the value of music on Capitol Hill, driving innovation that moves the industry forward, building community and providing the resources and support that creators need to succeed in their careers.  Learn more and stay in touch at www.ascap.com, on Twitter and Instagram @ASCAP and on Facebook.

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CONTACT:

Cathy Halgas Nevins

ASCAP

cnevins (at) ascap.com