[Organizers] ASCAP and BMI

[Rob Lindauer via Organizers]

Thanks, Donna.

I've indeed sent a query to CDSS.

I have no doubt that ASCAP is fishing.  If HCD ran just contras, I'd 
decline (or just ignore the letter), asserting that we use only public 
domain music and no copyright arrangements.  However, we also run a DJ 
dance series, a swing series, a cajun/zydeco series, and a waltz series, 
and I doubt I could make the same assertion for them.  So it could well 
be that we should pay licensing fees.  I hope CDSS will be able to clarify.

Rob Lindauer

On 06/15/2016 05:26 PM, Donna Hunt wrote:
> Years ago we received a letter and I contacted CDSS who told me to have
> ASCAP/BMI contact CDSS because they are our "parent" organization.
>
> If you are affiliated with CDSS you might want to call them.  Or you
> might want to call them anyway to find out what their advice is.
>
> It's my understanding that periodically ASCAP/BMI go "fishing" and send
> letters to a lot of music organizations hoping someone will send them $$
>
> Good luck.
> Donna Hunt
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rob Lindauer via Organizers <organizers at lists.sharedweight.net>
> To: organizers <organizers at sharedweight.net>
> Sent: Wed, Jun 15, 2016 4:51 pm
> Subject: [Organizers] ASCAP and BMI
>
> I just got a letter from ASCAP asking payment of license fees for use of
> recorded and copyright materials at our dances.
>
> If my organization ran just our contra dances, I'd tell them to take a
> hike - or not respond at all - with the argument that our contras use
> only traditional public domain music, and not recorded music nor
> copyright arrangements.
>
> However, my organization also has waltz, swing, DJ, and Cajun/zydeco
> series, where I don't think I can make the same assertion.
>
> The net is I'll probably go ahead and pay.
>
> My question: What encounters (and resolutions) have other groups had
> with ASCAP (and BMI too, for that matter).
>
> Thanks, RL
> --
> Rob Lindauer
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