I think that calling ASCAP `thugs` is a bit much. They have a job to do on behalf of songwriters and people who use the musical creations of others. That job is to collect royalties owed due to radio or TV play. In that scope is also live performance.

I think there IS a lawsuit that one could bring IF one could prove that they do not use other than their own material which is NOT registered with a performing rights agency. It would then shift the burden of proof to the ASCAPs of the world. That said, I will now shuffle off.