ROUNDUP: Michael Jackson musical blocked by estate; ASCAP files 21 scattershot suits; Bollywood director miffed by lawmaker piracy

Michael Jackson musical blocked by estate

Broadway producer Nederlander filed a suit against the estate of Michael Jackson claiming the estate won’t clear the right to use songs, including Beat It, Billie Jean, and Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin. From TMZ.

ASCAP files 21 scattershot copyright lawsuits

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) filed suit against 21 bars, nightclubs and restaurants across the country. In a press release, the performing rights group stated:

In each of the cases filed today, the business or establishment has either publicly performed the copyrighted musical works of ASCAP’s songwriter, composer and music publisher members without obtaining a license from ASCAP to do so, or had signed a license agreement with ASCAP but failed to comply with the license’s payment terms. In every instance, the establishment refused to obtain a license or pay the fees owed under the license, but continued to perform ASCAP members’ music without permission, resulting in the filing of the infringement actions.

From NYT.

Bollywood director miffed by lawmaker piracy

Legislators from India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wanted to screen director Prakash Jha’s Raajneeti (“Politics”). Instead of approaching the filmmaker for a copy (unavailable on DVD), BJP members pirated a copy and showed the movie during a party meeting — infuriating Jha. From TorrentFreak.