Restaurateur Loses Copyright Suit To BMI

Frosty P writes: BMI claims Amici III in Linden, New York didn't have a license when it played four tunes in its eatery one night last year, including the beloved "Bennie and the Jets" and "Brown Sugar," winning $24,000 earlier this year, and over $8,200 in attorney's fees. Giovanni Lavorato, who has been in business for 25 years, says the disc DJ brought into the eatery paid a fee to play tunes. "It's ridiculous for me to pay somebody also," he said. "This is not a nightclub. This is not a disco joint . . . How many times do they want to get paid for the stupid music?"

Comments

Re:Capitalist logic

[thaylin]

I am pretty sure you serve the same meal once, you cannot serve it 2 or more times, unless you are waiting in the bathroom to get what comes out the other end.

Re:How many times?

[Lead Butthead]

For the record labels, every passing thought of the melody or lyric constitutes an infringement. The only thing that's stopping them right now is their inability to read minds.

Re:Restautantosaur

[Nethead]

Gordon Ramsey?