> Dear All, > > I play my lute regularly at a local restaurant, music from before 1650 > exclusively. The owners have been contacted by BMI and were told that > they need a license.
Not a lawyer, but reading the FAQ on the BMI website I note that they admit there are other licensing agencies, each of which represents particular composers & performers; J Dowland is NOT one of those. BMI admits they are not alone, you only need a license from BMI for material registered to BMI for collection of fees. This includes _performances_ of renaissance material by the Kings Singers, PoD, Piffaro, and other modern groups, even tho the music being performed is in the public domain; see the small print on CD and LP. Note that the embellishments and arrangements are covered by that. Somebody at BMI may be confused or overly zealous, a letter from a lawyer may be needed to reassure the proprietor and sort out BMI. Pretty sure that the burden of proof is on BMI to demonstrate you are performing licensed material ..., I suspect a charge of harassment could well be made from the letter alone. -- Dana Emery To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
