Patrick Cronin, Portsmouth Herald via Seacoastonline; Why Wally’s Pub could pay up to $30K for playing Bad Company’s 'Feel Like Makin’ Love'
"A popular Hampton Beach bar and music venue is being sued for alleged copyright infringement after a cover band performed Bad Company's hit song "Feel Like Makin' Love."
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) filed the copyright infringement lawsuit against Wally's Pub and its owner Al Fleury this week in federal court. It alleges the venue at 144 Ashworth Ave. continues to have "unauthorized public performance of its members’ copyrighted musical works."
The lawsuit was one of 13 filed nationwide by the nonprofit that represents more than 920,000 songwriters and music publishers. Other establishments sued included Widow Fletcher’s in New Port Richey, Florida, and Bleachers Sports Grill in Phoenix, Arizona.
"Each of the establishments sued today has decided to use music without compensating songwriters," said Stephanie Ruyle, ASCAP executive vice president, and head of licensing. "By filing these actions, ASCAP is standing up for songwriters whose creative work brings great value to all businesses that publicly perform their music.”"
