I think this thread has forced me to seriously think about the status of the Performance Rights Organizations so I'm going to attempt to summarize my thoughts and then move on - unless I can figure out a way to do something constructive about it.

First - I believe songwriters should be compensated for their work, but that it has to be done in a manner that does not place an overly large burden on those using the work. If the fees are so large as to prevent performance from happening, then everyone loses.

Second - There would have to be a single entity collecting license fees for it to possibly be administered in a fair manner and one the users could understand. At least the folks down under and in Belgium have a step up over the US there. With the current system in the US, there are 3 different PROs a user needs a license from and even then there are millions of songs they have not acquired a license for. (This is the situation responsible for the pissing match in the original post where a venue argues it hasn't played ASCAP songs by directing the performers to play original music only.)

Third - if the money is collected, it should go to the writers who's songs are being performed. At least with APRA there is a system for trying to report the information. The ASCAP/BMI/SESAC stance that its just too hard to figure out doesn't fly for me. If they can't pay the money to the people who have earned it, they shouldn't be collecting it.

Marty my home

Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again!