ASCAP shared the results from two court proceedings against broadcast radio stations from Royce International Broadcasting Corporation in California. The stations, KFRH-FM, KREV-FM, and KRCK-FM, will pay the performing rights organization more than $1.5 million in license fees, costs, attorneys’ fees, and statutory damages.
The first case determined that Royce International and owner Edward Stolz willfully infringed on ASCAP members’ rights by broadcasting copyrighted songs without paying license fees over several years. The second case rejected Royce stations’ application for licenses under the ASCAP consent decree.
“Songwriters deserve to be fairly compensated when their music is performed, and those who use music without permission should be rightly held accountable. The decision by Judges Bernal and Cote affirm this basic principle,” ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews said. “While we prefer to work directly with licensees to ensure songwriters’ work is not infringed, we will take the necessary steps to protect our members’ rights. We are pleased both of these judges recognized songwriters’ value and have taken measures to protect their livelihoods.”