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== LEGAL ==== LEGAL - The Big 3 Bullies ===== Copyright Blanket License ======= Copyright Blanket License ===Ask the agency some questions if you are being approached or threatened by one of the three.* Are you taking into consideration my business's certificate of occupancy limit (how many seats)?: A: They do, but there is a minimum fee for seats under 50 which is between $300 - $400* Do you represent all of the titles you believe us to be in violation presently?* What if I discontinue all Karaoke and live performances?: A: ASCAP claims you must be licensed if you have any televisions in your business displaying broadcast TV. This is true for a cafe, dental office, tavern, or any other business with televisions.* Do you contact or report to the other two licensing agencies?: A: ASCAP claims to have no cooperative relationship with BMI.Nine times out of ten these guys found you because you advertised on Facebook, MySpace, or on another popular Internet site. It is rare for them to make an onsite visit, although they do make onsite visits. Typically there is a warning process, however, you may be fined a crippling amount and legal defense is at your expense. Furthermore, these people are arrogant bullies and are actually difficult to deal with. They do not make the process easy and they are next to impossible to reach by telephone. They basically send you threats in the form of mail correspondence, email, and phone calls.They are not invulnerable and all powerful. Many smaller venues simply discontinue public advertising and are more careful about hosting Karaoke or live music. Furthermore, if you host live music and the musicians perform only pieces they have written and own the rights to, or public domain pieces, then you are not in violation of any copyright laws.Some modern electronic Jukebox equipment has Karaoke capabilities. This is a gray area in Jukebox licensing and may also serve as a viable defense if the venue has a Jukebox license and is using the Jukebox for Karaoke.=== What About My iPod? ===CYA - Cover Your Ass. You could be in violation of copyright law if you connect an iPod to your business sound system to play music if you are playing copyright music. Your iTunes license agreement doesn't permit you to use your iPod for public play of music.So do the artists get the money? So little of it makes it [[down the pike]] to the artist it would make you turn red in anger. Mostly the money is absorbed by fat cats in a greedy copyright industry that sit at a desk all day and think of clever ways to rip off audiences, venues, and the artists themselves.