ASCAP has filed 10 separate legal actions against bars and restaurants nationwide, alleging the unauthorized public performance of its members’ copyrighted songs.
Over the past two years or longer, ASCAP has made numerous attempts to offer a license and educate the business owners about their obligations under federal copyright law. Despite these efforts, these owners of the establishments listed below repeatedly have refused to take or renew a license.
“Music is enormously valuable to bars and restaurants, creating an emotional connection with patrons and providing the right ambience to attract and retain customers,” commented ASCAP Executive Vice President of Licensing Vincent Candilora. “Hundreds of thousands of well-run businesses across the nation recognize the importance of paying music creators to use their music, and understand that it is both the lawful and right thing to do. However, each of the establishments sued today has decided to use music without compensating songwriters.
Establishment (City, State):
- Adrenaline Sports Bar & Grill (Las Vegas, NV)
- Carmine’s La Trattoria (Palm Beach Gardens, FL
- Dorado Western Club (Houston, TX)
- The Concert Pub (Houston, TX)
- Conrad’s Seafood Restaurant (Nottingham, MD)
- Havana Club (Atlanta, GA)
- Mezzo Ultra Lounge (Providence, RI)
- Show Palace (Oceanside, CA)
- Pony (Memphis, TN)
- Spike’s Bar & Billiards (Rosemead, CA)