Music royalties group sues clubs, restaurants

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - ASCAP, a performing rights group that collects royalties on behalf of songwriters and copyright owners, said on Monday it sued 29 nightclubs, bars and restaurants across the United States for playing music in public without a license.

The copyright infringement lawsuits were filed as "a last resort" after frequent contact with the defendants over the last one to two years, said Vincent Candilora, ASCAP's senior vp licensing.

"In most cases, they probably just figured that we would go away," Candilora told Reuters.

The group, which represents more than 315,000 members, issues licenses to more than 300,000 establishments, which on average pay about $700 every year, he said. The payment is based on a formula that determines the extent of music usage -- live or recorded music -- and the location's occupancy.

ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) files between 200 and 250 suits every year, and most are settled, Candilora said.

That will likely be the case with one of the defendants, Paulie's Upper Deck in the coastal Los Angeles suburb of Redondo Beach. A co-owner who identified himself as Tootie told Reuters he had just taken over the venue, and would probably call ASCAP to arrange payment.

"Pay 'em, or you get screwed," Tootie said, expressing frustration that he has to pay not only ASCAP, but its rivals BMI (Broadcast Music Inc) and SESAC (Society of European Stage Authors & Composers).

ASCAP represents such artists as Metallica, Joni Mitchell, Green Day, Dr. Dre and Madonna.

(Reporting by Dean Goodman)