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Former theater manager urges city to clarify ASCAP/BMI licensing for community groups
Summary
John Cockett told the council Albert Lea's municipal blanket ASCAP/BMI licenses likely do not permit third-party nonprofits to use the city's blanket coverage and proposed a partnership to manage live-music compliance and limit potential federal copyright damages.
John Cockett, a Ward 2 resident and former building manager for the Marion Ross Community Theater, briefed the council on federal copyright compliance risks for community venues and festivals. He said municipal blanket licenses cover city-operated events but do not automatically sublicense independent 501(c)(3) groups hosting events at city-owned facilities.
"Our city blanket local government entity licenses cover city operated facilities, but federal copyright terms and the ASCAP and BMI contracts do not permit sublicensing to 3rd party 501(c)(3) nonprofits," Cockett said, and he warned that statutory damages for willful infringement can range from $750 to $30,000 per song. He said municipal liability insurance typically excludes intellectual-property claims, creating uninsured exposure for event organizers and the city.
Cockett provided the council with a written compliance brief and proposed a voluntary live-music compliance partnership involving the city, the CVB and local arts organizations to standardize licensing for third-party events. He asked the council to direct administration to review the brief and schedule a short work session to consider the proposal.
Council acknowledged receipt of the packet and did not take immediate action; staff were asked to review the materials and report back to council.
