If it is imposed by government mandate, through existing laws and court decisions, it IS a tax, even if it goes to goes to composers, less expenses. It IS imposed through law and court decisions, it IS a tax, period, end of discussion.

When RHO or French or whomever, charges a high school a specific fee for staging Camelot or Carousel or whatever, there is specific knowledge that a specific play will be performed.

There is no one collecting moneys for readings of poetry of EE Cummings or the heirs of this or that Poet, the reader knows who will be read, the bookstore does not. They are NOT in business specifically because of the content. It is what is known as a nuisance fee, rather like being charged a rare fish tax because you might catch a fish.

You do NOT hit up a hole in the wall for $800, period end of discussion. Why should restaurants have the luxury of doing Bob Dylan songs because they know that SESAC the reps Mr. Dylan will generally make no efforts to collect (a friend of mine who is an attorney has spoken to SESAC on behalf of a specific place and they as much as acknowledged this), whereas X composer repped by ASCAP will?. Why have nuisance taxes, it just discourages innovation and creativity.In having money collected because you should, you just discourage creativity outlets. I'm just saying that places where music is an afterthought, not like sized venues such as Jammin Java or 930 Club or arenas or festivals, shouldn't be charged a sizable minimum just for having an open mic and a lady playing the guitar on Thursday night.