At the end of July the DOJ will hold hearings regarding the consent decrees currently in place for ASCAP/BMI. As venue operators we are already in very uncertain times and the elimination or modification to the current decrees would result in further financially impacting anyone who remits licensing fees to ASCAP & BMI. As a reminder, BMI is hoping to not only license music but extend licensing to other revenue streams such as parking, concessions, merchandise and so on. What is most disturbing about the upcoming hearings are the actual panelists who are participating in the upcoming hearings. We have learned that members of the MIC Coalition that some members who have asked to be a part of the discussion have been turned down so any possible advocacy we might submit will not be heard.
There is an open comment period which ends July 22, 2020. I strongly encourage you to lend your voice to this by letting the DOJ know you support maintaining the current consent decrees. Now is not the time to modify or eliminate the decrees. Sample language is below as well as the email address to submit comments to (and of course you may modify your comments as you see fit):
I strongly recommend that the consent decrees remain as they are. Any changes will undoubtedly result in increased fees being levied against thousands of performance venues located in both large and small towns throughout America. Many of these venues are already facing financial losses in the billions and the recovery of the venues that are not forced to permanently close due to the pandemic will be years not months. We are not underwritten by government or local municipalities but rely solely on revenue earned through the sale of tickets. Now is not the time to make any changes to the existing consent decrees.
ATR.MusicLicensing-Workshop@usdoj.gov
I challenge all venues who hold ASCAP & BMI licenses to take a few moments to submit comments to the DOJ.
I am happy to answer any questions anyone may have via my email.
Shelly Kleppsattel
Chair, Industry Affairs Committee, IAVM
