ASCAP has filed federal copyright infringement lawsuits against four radio station groups operating a total of 15 stations, accusing them of repeatedly broadcasting music from ASCAP’s songwriters and publishers without a valid license for several years.
The Performing Rights Organization (PRO), which represents hundreds of thousands of songwriters, composers, and music publishers, said the stations continued to air protected works despite ongoing obligations under U.S. copyright law to secure public performance licenses. ASCAP licenses the public performance of its members’ music for radio, television, digital, and live venues.
According to the complaints, the radio groups allegedly failed to obtain or maintain necessary blanket licenses, resulting in unauthorized use of thousands of copyrighted songs. ASCAP is seeking damages, injunctions to stop further infringement, and recovery of legal fees.
- Haugo Broadcasting (South Dakota)
- Spoon River Media (Indiana)
- Taylor Communications (Mississippi)
- Barry Lunderville Radio (New Hampshire)
Radio stations are required by law to pay performance royalties when they broadcast music, with ASCAP providing an efficient blanket license that covers its entire repertoire.
This action underscores ASCAP’s ongoing enforcement efforts to protect creators’ rights in the broadcasting industry. The organization, founded in 1914, collects and distributes billions in royalties annually to its members. Unlicensed broadcasting deprives songwriters and publishers of compensation for their work.
ASCAP typically attempts to resolve licensing disputes through negotiation before resorting to litigation. The current lawsuits signal that those efforts failed with these particular operators.
The cases will proceed in U.S. District Courts, where statutory damages for copyright infringement can reach up to $150,000 per willful infringement.
Industry observers note that such suits are relatively uncommon but serve as a reminder to broadcasters that operating without proper ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC licenses carries significant legal and financial risks.