Legal Question in Entertainment Law in California

fees for entertainment in clubs and bars

We run karaoke shows in local clubs and bars using original karaoke cds and professional equipment purchased from karaoke companies. M question is-what entertainment laws pertain to the owners of the establishments? They have been approached by SEVERAL different companies saying they represent songwriters and the like,and need payment for every karaoke and dj show that is run in their establishment. What fees, if any apply to this situation, and what rights does the club owner have? Thanks for your help.


Asked on 3/02/07, 4:08 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Deborah Barron Barron Law Corporation

Re: fees for entertainment in clubs and bars

BMI and ASCAP collect royalties on copyrighted and published songs. If you have a juke box, karoke, or live bands, they collect an "average use" amount from the club based on size, nights of entertainment etc. You can be fined if you tell them you do not perform or play other artists published songs, and then they find out that you do. They send spies to the clubs to find out what is really going on. The best thing to do is pay the minimum amount. Clubs have been fined up to $10,000.

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Answered on 3/03/07, 6:31 pm


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