Verizon Needs No ‘Performance’ License for Ringtones

Verizon Wireless doesn’t need a public-performance license for ringtones it sells, a judge ruled, dealing a setback to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), reports Bloomberg.

The company, the largest U.S. mobile carrier, doesn’t need such a license because the rings aren’t played in performances, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote in New York ruled yesterday.

... ASCAP and another licensing company, Broadcast Music Inc., charged for ringtones for years before wireless providers formally began challenging the practice two years ago.

Today’s ruling is the first on the issue. A decision on behalf of ASCAP might have generated millions of dollars annually for the groups’ members.

Read full article.

Related:

-- Verizon pays $5m to ASCAP for ringtone "performances"

-- ASCAP Sues AT&T Over Ringtones Heard In Public

-- ASCAP Wants To Be Paid When Your Phone Rings

emily | 8:24 AM | Copyright Protection |
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