Complaint Review: American Society of Composers. Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) - Nashville Tennessee

We had explained at length to the prior Licensing Director Mr. Kent at ASCAP that no ASCAP Licensing fee is owed and there is clearly no violation of US Copyright Law Title Law Title 17. Thus harasmsnt of nonstop emails and telephone calls has been going on for over 5 years.  We are aware that in 2008 that ASCAP filed 29 separate copyright infringement lawsuits against nightclubs, bars and restaurants in 22 states and D.C.  See https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/ascap-sues-29-establishments-1311086/  We are aware that other lawsuits have been threaened and made, but no lawsuit has been succesful against a mere promoter. It makes no difference that we have a private membership email list.. Our company does not own or lease a nightclub, bar or restaurant. We are simply a promoter that is paid for marketing and promotional services.  Our company does not own any DJ equipment or any other equipment to play music and does not play or broadcast any music on its own There was never any need for any further explanations, or further information, or need to talk to anyone further at ASCAP. It is ASCAP's burden to prove anything otherwise and ASCAP has not demonstrated any obligation by our company to owe any licensing fees,     Mr. Michael Kent, former Licensing Directior from ASCAP,  sent our company a ridiculous fraudulent invoice for substantial licensing fees at 601 West 45th Street, New York, New York 10036 for the period September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023. The premises at 601 West 45th Street was never owned or leased by our company, as we were merely a promoter for the club located at these premises. We never owned any DJ equipment, or music equipment, nor played or broadcasted any music at these premises. In fact, the physicaL club at 601 West 45th Street closed down in March 2020 as a result of a City-wide COVID mandated closure order and the premises have remained vacant and the club has never reopened.    We requested that Mike Mason, the new Licensing Director from ASCAP, cease and desist from its frivolous attempts to extort money from a small promoter. We also had received numerous telephone collection calls from ASCAP at 615-932-8300. We are well aware of ASCAP's unscrupulous practices, as evidenced by its $1.75  million settlement of a US Justice Department investigation that ASCAP intentionally violated a consent decree. See https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/ascap-pays-175-million-settle-893162  We advised ASCAP that if we hear from ASCAP again by email or telephone, we will take further action, including complaints with the Better Business Bureau, Rip-Off Report, and NYS Attorney General's office. Notwithstanding our clear instructions, Mike Mason from ASCAP ermailed us again on May 19, 2023 arguing that they are owed licensing fees and threatening to sue us,     It is clear that ASCAP is a disreputable organization that will use high pressure tactics to extort money from any small business that has any possible connection whatsoever with music or entertainmant without regard to whether ASCAP is entitled to any fees. We encourage other small businesses to report ASCAP's unscrupulous business practices, and take appropraie legal action against ASCAP.