Nexeus Fatale

SLNN recently ran an article concerning BMI and music Licensing in Second Life. SLNN reports that “Currently, DJs in Second Life are not required to pay performance rights organizations such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC, but that may change in the near future. The current legal climates for Second Life DJs is that they are providing a service and are being paid for that service; thus, are exempt from having to pay for licensing.”… We’re not? Wait a minute…

As a DJ, it is my understanding that in order to use licensed music, we HAVE to play licensing fees, that includes the fees to SoundExchange, BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC because we are still broadcasting music over shoutcast servers. With licensing you also should report any income that you make from your broadcasting services. Now while the article includes club owners into the mix (the possibility of club owners having to pay fees for playing licensed music) in most cases club owners will not have to worry about this (although I’m no lawyer!) Let me further explain: (more…)