Keep It or Trade It?: Prototype 2 (360)
Keep It or Trade It?: Tekken 3D: Prime Edition (3DS)
Keep It or Delete It? : Mass Effect Infiltrator (iPad)
Keep It or Delete It?: The Walking Dead Episode 1: A New Day (XBLA)
Keep It or Trade It?: Syndicate (PS3)
Logo Copyright of ASCAP
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A Slashdot denizen found an interesting post on the International Arcade Museum Forums. User mdrago runs a a bar in St. Louis. He has a Guitar Hero Arcade game in his establishment has been told by ASCAP that his Guitar Hero Arcade game is unlicensed and demanded an $800 dollar fee or he will face fines.
The game was purchased from Raw Thrills, seller of many coin-op games. They are licensed to sell the game, and Activision has paid all licenses that are required. So what’s going on?
<RANT Editorial> In my opinion. Nothing but Greed. This isn’t the first time ASCAP has gone after people for no good reason.
ASCAP demands the Girl Scouts of America pay royalties on the song “Happy Birthday” when they sing it at summer camp. (ASCAP droped the demand after public outcry).
ASCAP demands $8700 from small club because their live acts MAY play a copyrighted song potentially in a hypothetical future scenario.
Just look through this Google Search of ASCAP Harassment for many more stories.
They may list themselves as a non-profit for the composers of music but what they really are is a mafia group that bullies little businesses into paying protection money. (Can you tell I have no love for this group?). They collect royalties for all composers, even if you’re not a member of their organization, but they only pay composers whose music is played on the radio. So all the money they collect basically goes to the top ten composers. I cannot agree with such a system under any circumstance. ASCAP needs to be reined in or abolished all together. </RANT Editorial>
I’ve asked for comment from all the affected parties and will post any responses I get.
UPDATE 16DEC09:
ASCAP response to my inquiry below.
“ASCAP is currently in negotiations with the manufacturer for the commercial use of these machines.” — An ASCAP spokesperson
Raw Thrills Spokesman
“We cannot comment at this time.”
UPDATE 17DEC09:
mdrago is not comfortable talking until the matter is settled. I wish you and Raw Thrills good luck. I don’t think either of you owe ASCAP any fees.
The ST. Louis ASCAP Extortion Continues | G.A.M.E.S. on 21 Dec 2009 at 4:11 pm #
[...] Just to recap. ASCAP is going after bars in St. Louis for Guitar Hero Arcade games. See our previous story here. [...]