Dear MMDers,  With the ongoing discussion of band organs and carousel
organs not being played, a number of folks brought up the suggestion
of getting some modern music arranged for the organs.

I hate to bring up this old subject but playing modern and current
music in public could cause some problems with copyrights.  I think if
you arrange a roll or book and play it at home for your own enjoyment,
I think you can do that with no problem.  If you then take the organ
and music out and play it in public, that could be a problem (if you
get caught).  If you do this for money, you could be subject to a fine
plus paying a portion of your proceeds into the ASCAP kitty.

To carry this from the sublime to the ridiculous, a few years ago
a couple of volunteers played their band organs outside the Lockwood
Mathews Mansion Museum in Connecticut.  The MBSI has had a temporary
museum in the mansion for a number of years and it was thought that the
band organs might help to "drum" up a little extra business for the
LMMM and the MBSI display.  Someone from ASCAP came by, heard some
1950s music being played and demanded not only the fine but they wanted
a portion of the takings of the LMMM gift shop as well.  The gift shop
sells primarily non-musical items.

I suspect that if the various park carousels, whether publicly or
privately owned, began to play modern copyrighted music while selling
tickets for the ride, they would be exposed to some problems if it
became known to the ASCAP folks.  Furthermore, they would probably
be required to buy a performance license for playing the music.

I don't want to be a wet blanket but these problems would have to be
resolved ahead of time.

Regards,
Bob Conant
Endicott, NY

 [ Bob, could you provide more details, please?  Did the ASCAP agent
 [ offer proof of his authority?  What was the response of the
 [ Lockwood Mathews museum management?  What MBSI action resulted
 [ from the incident?  What ASCAP action resulted?  -- Robbie