I got this odd mail from BMI

Subject: I got this odd mail from BMI
From: Lighthouse
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 05:15 PM

I have a non-commercial photography and writing website (garrydelong.com). Yesterday I rec'd a letter and packet of contracts from BMI. It said that any music at all on my website would require me to complete and sign the contract and send them money. The contract seemed to say that even if I made no money, I had to pay BMI for each person that visited a page with music. The only music I have are a few short audio and/or video clips of some of the folk music and "coffeehouse" performances that my wife and I saw while on vacation with folksinger/writer Tom Lewis in England last summer. These clips are typically about 20 second or so long, only a small portion of each song. There are about 10 clips in an approx 20-30 page web presentation. Since this is a non-commercial site and I have very limited means, I suppose I'll have to remove all these clips. Any comments, suggestions or advice?
Garry DeLong
garrydelong.com

Subject: RE: I got this odd mail from BMI
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 05:29 PM

Ignore it. You are too small a fish.

Subject: RE: I got this odd mail from BMI
From: Bill D
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 08:35 PM

but BMI feels that by intimidating and harassing all the 'small fish', they can scare the big fish into the nets also...They don't want ANYONE doing it other than they prescribe..You 'might' be able to defy them, depending on what is there, but you may have to either delete...or disguise... the files..

Subject: RE: I got this odd mail from BMI
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 09:29 PM

Replace 'em with clips of yourself playing either original or public domain material. They damn well can't demand that you send them money just so they can skim their share off of the top and send the rest back to you. Only the Mafia and the government have the balls to do that.

Bruce

Subject: RE: I got this odd mail from BMI
From: Abuwood
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 03:15 AM

I am sure that for such small clips there are no dues, Gary, your site is great, don't alter it!

Subject: RE: I got this odd mail from BMI
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 02:24 PM

I hope they don't send one to me for the clips of MYSELF!

Subject: RE: I got this odd mail from BMI
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 02:34 PM

Kim - if your clips are of self-published songs or public domain songs you should be in the clear.

Subject: RE: I got this odd mail from BMI
From: Just another Dave
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 02:50 PM

I believe that all of Tom's original material is registered with SOCAN not BMI. You could point out to the BMI folks that they should be more careful before they send out contracts for songs they don't own.

You could also send Tom a check and explain your situation and cut the middleman out entirely.

DAve