Message-Id: <01BDF3B5.6D4C77C0.lnktheriot@csi.com>
From: Ken Theriot <lnktheriot@csi.com>
To: "'minstrel@pbm.com'" <minstrel@pbm.com>
Subject: minstrel: Calote redux
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1998 18:48:37 -0400
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Sender: owner-minstrel@rt.com
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Well, as I said, most professional organizations (ASCAP, BMI, MCPS, CAPAC, 
etc.) share and share alike.  Regarding non-professionals, hmmm....  "Don't 
they deserve protection?"  Sure.  Shouldn't someone see to it that children 
don't go hungry in the street?  Sure.  That doesn't mean it's going to 
happen.

People who make their living in the music biz affiliate with outfits like 
ASCAP precisely because it's cheaper than hiring a lawyer full time to look 
out for your interests, which is what you'd have to do otherwise.  YOU ARE 
PROTECTED BY THE LAW, but enforcing it is YOUR responsibility.  For a fee, 
ASCAP will do that for you.

It's similar to original copyright.  THE LAW SAYS that your work is 
copyrighted as soon as it is "published", which includes writing it down in 
lipstick on a piece of toilet paper, but I promise you that a judge would 
look well askance at that sort of proof.  On the other hand, for a few 
bucks, the Library of Congress will give you a lovely, dated, certified 
form which constitutes valid evidence in any court.  If it is your 
livelihood, you will go the extra few bucks to know that you are safe. 
 What is insurance?  You're betting that your house WILL burn down!  Why 
else do you pay?

It's sad, the ugly, sordid world of business, but how else would some of us 
get paid?

					Adelaide


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