PHILADELPHIA — A music association is suing the operators of a nightclub for allegations of musical copyright infringement.
Emi April Music Inc. Sweet Chin Music Inc., Gnat Booty Music, Rodsongs, and WB Music Corp. filed a lawsuit on April 12 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Grog Inc. and John Redden, citing copyright infringement.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs are all members of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), an association that represents, licenses, and protects the public performance rights of its members. For periods prior to Sept. 30, 2015, the defendants allegedly had a license agreement from ASCAP.
The plaintiffs claim that because the defendants failed to pay license fees, their agreement was terminated. The defendants have reportedly continued to present public performances of copyrighted music compositions from ASCAP members at the New Barbary.
The plaintiffs seek that the defendants be permanently enjoined and prohibited from future infringement, statutory damages, litigation costs, and attorney’s fees. They are represented by Vincent V. Carissimi and Noah S. Robbins of Pepper Hamilton LLP, in Philadelphia.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:16-cv-01732-SD