I should have said that "It is easy to paint ASCAP, BMI and others as the "bad guy" when they try to collect what is legally, MORALLY, AND ETHICALLY within their right to collect." They are not perfect, but they are working for the rights of the performers and writers, regardless of size.   They are not going to get a nickel for every song that is played in a small coffehouse, but they are going to try to be fair to the artist AND the venue.