Florida Pub Sued for Playing Songs Without License

The music you hear in grocery stores, restaurants, pubs, and offices often requires a license. While you can listen to music in the comfort of your own home without paying, playing music for commercial use needs to be done with permission. Those who do not follow this law can be sued.

In early April, multiple music publishing and production companies filed a lawsuit against a pub in downtown Myrtle Beach. The lawsuit alleges that The Ole Irish Pub on Withers Drive did not have a license to play songs by popular artists such as Brooks & Dunn and Hank Williams Jr.

Broadcast Music Inc (BMI) and eight other groups accuse The Irish Exit, the parent company of The Ole Irish Pub, of copyright infringement. The other plaintiffs are EMI Blackwood Music, Inc., Fame Publishing Company, LLC, Showbilly Music, Southeastern Publishing, LLC, Howe Sound Music Publishing LLC, Tremonti Stapp Music, and Reservoir Media Management, Inc.

The songs that The Ole Irish Pub played without permission include the following:

• “Neon Moon” by Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn (Showbilly Music)
• “Family Tradition” by Hank Williams Jr. (Howe Sound Music Publishing LLC)
• “Higher” by Scott Stapp and Mark Tremonti of Creed (Tremonti Stapp Music; Reservoir Media Management Inc.)
• “Cover Me Up” by Jason Isbell (Fame Publishing Music; Southeastern Publishing LLC)
• “Teenage Dirtbag” by Brendan B. Brown of Wheatus (EMI Blackwood Music)

The copyright infringement has been going on since at least May 2022. That was when BMI started reaching out to The Irish Exit to educate them about their obligations under the Copyright Act. BMI has contacted the company more than 50 times by email, phone, and mail to inform them that they needed to purchase a license if they intended to play the music in public. A license is required for the public performance of musical compositions in the BMI repertoire.

What is a BMI Music License?

Many business owners want to play background music in their business to create a certain ambience. However, business owners cannot simply bring in a radio or MP3 player and play their personal music collection over the loudspeaker in your building or office.

The music you play is considered a public performance, even if it is a recording. Because of this, you need to acquire a license to legally play songs in this situation. This is often done through BMI. If you don’t pay for the music your business uses, BMI may track you down and fine you for copyright infringement.

Launched in 1939, a BMI music license today gives customers access to more than 22.4 million songs. A license with BMI typically costs about $365 a year, but larger businesses might pay as much as $10,000 per year.

Learn More About Copyright Infringement 

Copyright infringement can happen in many ways. Playing songs in a commercial establishment without a license or other permission from the songwriters can lead to legal issues.

If your work has been used without permission, Orlando trademark & copyright infringement lawyer B.F. Godfrey from Godfrey Legal can help you understand your legal options. We’ll help you get the protection and compensation you need. Schedule a consultation today by calling (407) 890-0023 or filling out the online form.

Source:

postandcourier.com/myrtle-beach/news/irish-pub-myrtle-beach-federal-copyright-infringement-lawsuit-sc/article_c194486a-a6e4-402e-bf01-59a4bf6e5284.html