license

[countyrgirl]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? north carolina

my question is : being a booking agency/promoter do we need to get a license from the companies Ascap and BMI. also do they have the right to bother us and the local fan clubs.

Thanking you in advance,
Betty

[FlyingRon]

Public Performance requires arrangement of the copyright owner. If your bands are performing their own compositions exclusively (even if they are represented by ASCAP or BMI) you are generally OK. If they are performing other composers work then you very much do need to deal with the PRO's to license the performance.

Normally, if the venue is a place that has music regularly (bars, clubs) they take care of the performance rights license. If you're putting on concerts at other places, you'll have to take care of it.

Yes they can "bother" you if you are infringing.

By the way, public performance extends to websites and other electronic venues.