[tdadams]

I have never agreed with this idea that they should get these fees for "public performance" of the songs.

Would the restaurants, bars, and clubs have the same atmosphere and draw the same number of patrons without the music? No, they wouldn't. The music adds value to the business. What other good or service of demonstrable value would you expect to receive for free?

[FreeTally]

As I posted to another freeper:

"Any profit the establishment makes from the music being played should be offset by the exposure the music gets to potential purhcasers. This isn't the same as making copies of a product and handing it out for free."

Would the restaurants, bars, and clubs have the same atmosphere and draw the same number of patrons without the music?

Of course not, but would they have the same atmosphere if they didin't have lights, toilets or a floor? Should the toilet manufacturer get a yearly fee for the use of the tolilet? I mean, the owner purchased it and is undercutting the toilet maker by allowing public use of it, right? I see no real difference.

[Servant of the Nine]

Would the restaurants, bars, and clubs have the same atmosphere and draw the same number of patrons without the music? No, they wouldn't. The music adds value to the business. What other good or service of demonstrable value would you expect to receive for free?

Could your being from Nashville have something to do with your unusual attitude? Maybe a proprietary interest?

So9

[Mad Dawgg]

"What other good or service of demonstrable value would you expect to receive for free?"

OK fess up!

Where do you get all these "FREE" CDs?

[gitmo]

If I have prints of famous paintings on the walls of my business, do I have to pay an annual fee to the Painters Mob?

If I have an automobile motif, with snazzy old cars around, do I have to pay the car manufacturers an annual fee?

If I have newspapers at the tables of my coffee shops, do I have to pay an annual fee to the newspaper company?

If I give away my paper after I've read it, have I violated copyright laws? (Apparently I have if I give away a computer CD to my friends.)

If I have football memorabilia around, do I owe the Universities and the NFL an annual fee?

The music industry is engaged in extortion.