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Fresno Group one of three companies sued over music licensing

I have not added up how much I've paid music unions over the past 35 years. But it's a lot. I'm doubtful that artists and composers received much or any of it.
 
Here's a story about a similar legal battle between Slacker and SoundExchange. Slacker says the $10 million judgement will ruin their company. SoundExchange says these are legally mandated obligations:


Once again, no one forced Slacker to play this music. They did so knowing what the cost would be.
 
The way to do that is to delete GMR songs from your library. Not play them illegally and ignore all warnings.
I have no idea what drives someone to do certain things. I was merely suggesting that they could possibly be railing against what they see as outrageous fees. I don't know. What I do know is these 3 groups chose to challenge this in their own way. Maybe they didn't expect it to go to court. That's the risk you take. I don't, however, believe that any of these owners will be forced into selling their stations because they're forced out of business by a huge judgement. I think it will be settled long before it ever sees the inside of a courtroom. That being said, I would love to hear WHY they decided to fight this in this way. Paul Stone may have his hand in many stations and not oversee daily operations, but he definitely would be in the loop about a possible legal entanglement. Same with Ostlund in Fresno, except he is in daily control, so I would love to find out his reasoning.
 
Looking at their website, they have many of the popular performers like Bryan Adams, George Harrison and others.
 
Maybe they didn't expect it to go to court. That's the risk you take.

According to the filing, they were warned several times and didn't respond.

If you knowingly break the law, and get caught, it will likely go to court.

The courts tend to rule in favor of the PROs. It's a federal law.
 
Oh, great. KYNO is actually broadcasting a format I like (Despite having growing up in the late 90s, I discovered oldies and had a strong affinity for them ever since), and now it might get shutdown by a lawsuit over licensing?

Am I wrong I hope?

c
Just like me! I heard those songs on KFSO, I couldn't believe when they changed formats.
 
I wonder if this wasn't part of the motivation is having a Classic County, I didn't notice much country being owned by GMR.

You'd be surprised. Here's a link to their catalog. They bought the rights to some classic country, and they have signed several of the most prolific country writers. It's a broad list covering all genres.

 
It's companies like GMR that take the joy out of radio for me, and a big part of me wants to avoid getting into radio as a career because of it.

I wonder what GMR is gonna do with Part 15 stations? Are they gonna sue all of them, too?

BMI has a yearly license for Part 15 stations that, last I checked, was fairly reasonably priced, and the other two of the "Big Three" PROs (ASCAP and SESAC) basically don't care.

c
 
I wonder what GMR is gonna do with Part 15 stations? Are they gonna sue all of them, too?

BMI has a yearly license for Part 15 stations that, last I checked, was fairly reasonably priced, and the other two of the "Big Three" PROs (ASCAP and SESAC) basically don't care.
Assuming a "Part 15" station actually complied with field strength limitations, I doubt anyone would come after you since the coverage would be about as long as you could stretch a headphone cord.
 
Here is the latest on this story:

One Putt says it "does not have enough information to make a judgement" about its own conduct.

I'm filing that away. One of the best legal pitches I've seen since the attorney whose client killed a business competitor----he tried to plead it down from first-degree murder to restraint of trade.
 
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