Wedding Crashers In Spain Actually The Copyright Cops

from the did-you-pay-for-that-performance-of-YMCA? dept

Tue, Dec 16th 2008 9:37am — Mike Masnick

I tend to believe that the various song performance "collections" organizations around the world have a history of going too far in trying to collect on every possible use of a song. However, it seems they can always go a step further. Apparently, in Spain, the collections group there, the Spanish General Society of Authors and Editors (SGAE), has been not just crashing weddings, but secretly videotaping them to record evidence of music being played. The venue, of course, is supposed to pay music performance royalties, and SGAE believes that it applies to such private gatherings as well -- though, it still seems a bit extreme to crash a wedding and film it. However, at least the courts in Spain realize that this seems a bit ridiculous and have fined the society for "breaching the intimacy" of the married couple with one such video. In the end, the society was fined more than the restaurant for not having the requisite license.

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Filed Under: collections society, copyright, spain, wedding crashers

19 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 16 Dec 2008 @ 9:55am

I can envision a future with no music. Right now, it looks pretty good.
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deadzone (profile), 16 Dec 2008 @ 9:59am

Every time...
Every time I think I can no longer be shocked or surprised by what these organizations do - they do something even more shocking and crazy!

It is so bizarre that these people that did this didn't see anything wrong with their actions. Seriously, it borders on being ludicrous the things that they will do to "collect". I'm glad it hasn't gotten this out of hand yet in the U.S. although I suppose it may be only a matter of time as they get more and more desperate.
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The Arbiter, 16 Dec 2008 @ 10:00am

I certainly hope not
I can say without a doubt we would be far worse off without music. However, a future where people stop acting like pompous bastards, that would be nice.
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deadzone (profile), 16 Dec 2008 @ 10:10am

Re:
I totally could see that happening to.

You are right though, no music seems to be better an much better option than the alternative at this point.

I find it quite depressing to read about these types of things all the time and know that it is not some sort of onionesque type of satire.
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mike allen, 16 Dec 2008 @ 10:37am

until
until people stop settling a fight the bastards through the courts they will continue the only way is for people to say see you in court.
Better still second word off they can ut in front whatever they wish.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Dec 2008 @ 10:44am

Truly disgusting. I hope family and/or friends gave any and all people involved with this recording a slap in the face that they deserve.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Dec 2008 @ 10:46am

People need to stop buying from companies that use copyright for extortion. I wonder how long the RIAA and it's international associates would last with a 80%+ cut in cd sales.
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Vince from Shamwow, 16 Dec 2008 @ 10:49am

Slap Chop your way through it all
Could they be sued for trespassing on a private event or something?
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Dec 2008 @ 11:03am

Re: Slap Chop your way through it all
"Could they be sued for trespassing on a private event or something?"

From the Article, "...at least the courts in Spain realize that this seems a bit ridiculous and have fined the society for "breaching the intimacy" of the married couple with one such video"
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Haywood, 16 Dec 2008 @ 11:15am

Re: Re:
I've already begun music withdrawal. I have a radio in my work shop but never use it, had a car for a couple of years with a broken radio, never fixed it, even though my son would have fixed it 4 free. I find I like thinking better, and while I can think and listen to music at the same time, the silence is more conducive to deep thought.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Dec 2008 @ 11:18am

I must be a Cynic
I'm either a cynic or a realist. I'm not surprised in the least at this new turn of events. Or maybe my faith in businesses is completely shattered beyond repair...
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Dec 2008 @ 11:18am

Re: until
HUH?
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Dec 2008 @ 11:49am

Re: Re: Re:
don't withdraw from music completely, get music that isn't licensed by the RIAA, there are some great independent and foreign bands that you can get for free, or at least without supporting the RIAA.
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Wedding Videographer, 16 Dec 2008 @ 11:54am

Invest
Sounds like a good time to invest in a company that produces Royalty Free Music
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Dec 2008 @ 1:38pm

Re: until
What? You make no sense.
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Original Nancy, 16 Dec 2008 @ 2:07pm

Don't they still sue people for singing at a public gathering the "Happy Birthday"song ?

Frivolous law suits should be punished by dancing the YMCA song without music
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eleete, 16 Dec 2008 @ 2:58pm

Re:
"Did you know that if you sing any copyrighted song:
...at a place open to the public
...or among a substantial number of people who are not family or friends
You are involved in a public performance of that work?

Did you know an unauthorized public performance is a form of copyright infringement?"

http://www.unhappybirthday.com
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Dec 2008 @ 7:39pm

What's next? If somebody plays an unlicensed song at a wedding, will greedy corporate thugs parachute in to take over, like the Russkies in "Red Dawn"?
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JustMe, 17 Dec 2008 @ 6:00am

Support independent artists!
Quit buying the crap-pop flavor of the day and support singer songwriters. Seek them out in small venues, buy their albums, and quite supporting the big 'music' companies.
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