Fresno Famous

Jan 22, 2006 5:37 pm US/Pacific
Restaurant Sued For Playing Copyrighted Music

(AP) FRESNO A Fresno restaurant is being sued in federal court by a group representing songwriters for playing tunes written by Van Morrison, Dwight Yoakam and others without a license.

Broadcast Music Incorporated says it filed the lawsuit against Porky's after trying unsuccessfully over the last year-and-a-half to get the restaurant to sign a licensing agreement to play the songs.

The complaint lists 18 compositions that were allegedly played over Porky's sound system without a license. The songs include Hank Williams' "Born to Boogie"; Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Down on the Corner," written by John Fogerty.

B-M-I says damages could reach 750 dollars per song. Eating and drinking establishments typically page around $600 a year for a license to play BMI-represented songs.

Representatives of Porky's could not be reached for comment.