Music in mat

[Bob C]

I plan on installing a stereo system with ceiling speakers in my (unattended) mat. Most often it needs something other than listening to washers or dryers running , screaming kids,or the traffic on the street. I originally was going to just pick up a stereo and pipe in some music. Someone suggested that I use my computer. Has anyone done this? I'm going to install a computer with camera's and dvr with home monitoring.(eventually) Going to use 4 speakers, will this all work off of a computer?

Thanks for any imput---

Bob C

[MSKLAUNDRY.]

Load up those MP3's!!!!!

[MSKLAUNDRY.]

Depending on how CPU intensive the DVR recording software is will determine how many and long the interrupts if any there will be. Here in NY we find perfectly good computers tossed out into the thrash. Some are old and some are relatively new. To play MP3's you don't need much processing power so just about any PC will do.

[Anonymous]

Bob you could use the computer or use a stereo and it would probably work fine and you would have no problem. The only rub (and you will probably never have a problem) is that it is totally illegal. Believe it or not, while it is perfectly legal to listen to the radio or a cd, when you put it on for the public to hear it becomes a copyright violation. That is why there are services like Musak (sp?) that are used in elevators or doctors offices. You pay them a fee which covers the copyright. This is all very strange how it can be legal for one person to listen to music on the radio but illegal for a bunch of people in a store to listen - our crazy legal system. If you do it, you will almost never be caught, but just thought you might like to know about the can of worms you are opening.

[Anonymous]

Kirby,

I'm glad you brought this out. Just wanna ask and get things straight. Are you say, that me playing the local radio station through my speakers at work is a © violation?

Dave

[Anonymous]

I know its hard to believe but technically it is a violation to do that which is why you find that at major chain stores or department stores they use canned music which they pay for. You will almost never get caught, but they can go after you for it. It just seems strange that it is fine for you to listen to it, but just not in a commercial environment - go figure.

[Anonymous]

Just play the music and worry about more important things.

[smellysocks]

I do not like music , not everyone has the same tastes. So i not want to affend any customers. What are your thoughts about that.

[CharlieS]

There is a very active business in going after restaurants who play copyrighted music in their public areas.

http://www.restaurantville.com/fsn/searches/page.cfm?aid=471

BMI actively searches out and charges restaurants who are engaged in this practice. My guess is that this also applies to TVs.

Has anyone on this board ever been approached by BMI?

Charlie

[CharlieS]

More details on BMI.

http://www.bmi.com/licensing/forms/retail.pdf

Of course, ASCAP may also want your money. They are an identical type of organization. Both only provide licensing of the artists that they represent.

The general theory they use is that if you use any commercial TV or radio, then you will be using their songs at some time. This has been pretty well supported and they can be aggressive.

This is why Musak is popular in many stores. Instead of paying ASCAP or BMI, Musak has its own licenses, and keeps the stores out of trouble.

Charlie

[Anonymous]

What about playing a CD or a audio tape via your sound system? You've paid for it, so you can do with it as you please... correct?


Dave, who thinks this is a crock of ****

[Anonymous]

You paid for the CD for your personal use and may not use it for others to hear. They look at it just as if you made many copies of it and handed it out to your customers.

[pete f]

I have a radio on in all my mats. People like it. I am not worried about an legal issues, I can say it is for my own enjoyment while I am working, and forget to turn it off.

[MRH]

The rules and regulations (including BMI) ONLY apply to stores or facilities that are larger than 2000 SF!

I have had this verified by my attorney, as I operate multiple stores and each one has a 5 disc CD changer.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the SqFt clarification.

[Kitty]

I agree with the comment of music tastes, not everyone has the same. Loud obnoxious music could cause customers to do business elsewhere. Remember all the comments on the old coinwash board about James?

Why not have a TV for veiwing pleasure? You can place a tv that will reduce theivery.

[CharlieS]

Ok, a little research on this indicates that most of us will be exempt. It turns out that there are some exemptions in the US code. Specifically

(B)

communication by an establishment of a transmission or retransmission embodying a performance or display of a nondramatic musical work intended to be received by the general public, originated by a radio or television broadcast station licensed as such by the Federal Communications Commission, or, if an audiovisual transmission, by a cable system or satellite carrier, if -

WHAT THE HECK DOES THAT MEAN - OH, A TV or RADIO Broadcast is exempt if

(i)

in the case of an establishment other than a food service or drinking establishment, either the establishment in which the communication occurs has less than 2,000 gross square feet of space (excluding space used for customer parking and for no other purpose), or the establishment in which the communication occurs has 2,000 or more gross square feet of space (excluding space used for customer parking and for no other purpose) and -

IF YOU HAVE LESS THAN 2000 gross square feet. DAMN - Mine are all bigger BUT these also must be true

(I)

if the performance is by audio means only, the performance is communicated by means of a total of not more than 6 loudspeakers, of which not more than 4 loudspeakers are located in any 1 room or adjoining outdoor space; or

(II)

if the performance or display is by audiovisual means, any visual portion of the performance or display is communicated by means of a total of not more than 4 audiovisual devices, of which not more than 1 audiovisual device is located in any 1 room, and no such audiovisual device has a diagonal screen size greater than 55 inches, and any audio portion of the performance or display is communicated by means of a total of not more than 6 loudspeakers, of which not more than 4 loudspeakers are located in any 1 room or adjoining outdoor space;


So Yes, less than 2000 square feet does exempt you if you hav no more than 4 speakers and/or 1 television.


Charlie

[CharlieS]

This all reminds me of the airplane we purchased at the last place I worked. It was a King Air, capable of carrying just over 10,000 pounds. However, federal tax law requires that executives report taxable income for air fare provided on an airplane at a much higher rate than airplanes weighing less than 10,000 pounds.

So, we applied for, and received, a special type certificate restricting the gross weight to 9,999 pounds, losing about 100 pounds of usable weight on flights, but saving our execs thousands when they used the aircraft for personal use.

I will begin computing my laundromat sizes on the basis of 1 square foot equals 200 square inches.

Charlie

[CharlieS]

BTW, the exemption increases to 3,750 square feet for a food service or drinking establishment. I have lots of vending.

Charlie

[Anonymous]

I guess that is sort of like the 199,999 Btu/hr boilers that everyone makes as anything under 200,000 btu/hr does not require inspections.

[Mel]

So how would this apply to a Juke Box?

[E&R]

Sirius satellite radio offers commerical free radio to business at about $25.00 per month.

[CharlieS]

Jukeboxes are different. In this case you are actually charging to hear the music, and now you will owe a fee. There is, of course, a separate organization especially for jukeboxes that will handle this for you.

Charlie

[CharlieS]

But is the Sirius service covered for licensing when used in a commercial business? The fact that they offer it means nothing, just like a cable company will let you hook up. However, it doesn't necessarily give you the rights to use the music in a commercial environment.

Charlie

[E&R]

From their website www.sirius.com, FAQ, they are advertisting directly to business in a commerical environment for $24.95 per month.

"No royalty hassles - Playing the radio or CDs in your business requires you pay royalties to ASCAP, BMI and SESAC, the agencies that represent the music copyright owners. With SIRIUS Music for Your Business, royalties are paid for you at no additional charge."

Maybe XM, the other satellite radio offers better rate for businesses... I don't know.

[Jim]

OK..so I'm confused...am I breaking the law or not
I have radio and TV at my mats...

[TotoMongo]

Originally posted by Jim
OK..so I'm confused...am I breaking the law or not
I have radio and TV at my mats...

Jim, if the Department of Justice should prosecute you I would think they have WAY too much time on thier hands. I wouldnt worry about it.

Toto

[pete f]

This is great. Who do I call? My comp across the street has 3 or 4 TV's hooked to satalite dish. I want to turn him in. If you can't beat 'em, beat 'em up !

[Jim]

Originally posted by TotoMongo
Jim, if the Department of Justice should prosecute you I would think they have WAY too much time on thier hands. I wouldnt worry about it.
Toto

Oh I'm not worried about it...I was just curious if I was a law abidding citizen or not... It would be a first...lol

[brucefla]

Dont worry about legal issues in a ,Laundromat.

I've dealt with BMI when I managed a gym, yes we had to m\pay, the music was considered a part of membership, and motivational tool for people to sweat by.

We ended up installing a satellite and paying by the month.

They wont touch a laundromat, not enough punch to go there.

[MichaelCa]

PeteF: That distributor-created white elephant across the street can't be paying for commercial satellite TV - i.e. i bet he is simply paying for 1 (one) 'home installation' satellite (maybe even with a dual LNB on the dish, so he can have different channels) .... this means he is in violation of (either DISH network or DIRECTV) rules regarding the usage for public entertainment.

DISH/DTV have distinct contracts for commercial/restaurant/etc. reception vs. home.
So, my first call would be to the Satellite Co. (conveniently printed on the Dish for all to see).