[SamAdams76]

Many people don't realize that if you open a restaurant, or any other business for that matter, and play recorded music over a sound system or even a boom box you are required to pay the ASCAP for the rights even if you own the tape/cd because you are considered to be "profiting" from the public performance of the music. According to people in the industry ASCAP is very vigilant and actually sends out agents to search for violations.

That is correct. Many small-business owners have been terrorized by ASCAP. Mom and pop pizza parlors have been shut down over playing the radio for their customers. Even the nightclub that burned down in Rhode Island last month had pending litigation with ASCAP. Then you have the RIAA which is just as bad.

[Robert_Paulson2]

and the FRENCH own a large percentage of the record labels that the RIAA is kneecapping folks for....

Riaa, the bag men for sheryl crow, dixie chicks and the vivendi french....