Gothamist: Jay-Z's 40/40 Club Faces Another Lawsuit

west side Michael

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:02:34 -0500

Close the joint and let's have another Duane Reade.

guest

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 18:28:45 -0500

They tried to go after the "Small time" offenders last year . We all see how that worked out ! #9 has a valid point . It's a hell of a lot easier to go after some for whom you know has money as appose to some ordinary person with little or no money . Still if I were an artist and found out that my music was being pirated I'm sure I would want payment for my songs so it's a "Damn if you do, Damn if you don't scenario ! Posted; "Still Not Amused"

guest

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 10:42:24 -0500

I think that this whole situation is absurd!!! If this is the case then they should sue every place that plays music!! I just think that they want to sue him because they see that he has two different clubs open one in New York and one in Atlantic City and opening one in Las Vegas and then in Tokyo and Macau so they want to hit him up cause he's making money!!! I say leave him alone and find someone else to hound about bullsh*t!! It's BOGUS!!!!

Bubba

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:59:57 -0500

From BMI's website: A “performing right” is granted by the U.S. Copyright Act to owners of musical works to license those works for public performance. Businesses which typically license music include broadcast radio and TV stations, cable radio and TV stations, places such as nightclubs, hotels, discos, and other establishments that use music in an effort to enhance their business. There are hundreds of thousands of establishments - radio and television stations, nightclubs, hotels, amusement parks and the like - in the U.S. where music is publicly performed. It would be virtually impossible for individuals to monitor these music users themselves. Therefore, BMI acquires rights from writers and publishers and in turn grants licenses to use its entire repertoire to users of music. BMI collects license fees from each user of music BMI licenses, and distributes to its writers and publishers all the money collected, other than what is needed for operating expenses.

TKaisen

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:51:25 -0500

Yes, technically if you're a dentist office who plays the radio over the loudspeaker, you're supposed to be paying royalty fees. It's why so many places play Muzak or some other company that takes care of all of it for you. It's also why a personal satellite radio account is $12.99 and a business account is $27.99.

edEx

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:40:32 -0500

Let me get this straight: Jay-Z downloads "Thriller" from the iTunes music store, plays it in his club and owes additional royalties to Michael "the child molestor" Jackson? Absurd!

guest

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:00:28 -0500

A federal lawsuit? Wow -- that's some grudge. When I managed a nightclub we laughed the ASCAP letters right into the circular file.

Gregoire

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:10:54 -0500

Somebody just has a grudge against Jay-Z. Its like getting a ticket for jaywalking. I thought that clubs and bars pay a small fee to ASCAP in order to play music. I guess Jay-Z's club doesnt do that?

guest

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:40:25 -0500

gotta pay if you have a jukebox, too.

guest

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:40:17 -0500

Yes you do. But record companies rarely bother with small time venues.

guest

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:29:10 -0500

Hrm. How do these laws work? So if I open up a bar and play stuff over the bar's loudspeakers, do I have to pay licensing fee's? Im not in the music industry, but that seems a bit loopy to me.