Venue Owners Ask DOJ to Maintain Music Decrees

DOJ should maintain the BMI and ASCAP consent decrees (see 1806110051) so that venues aren't subject to more-complicated and expensive performance rights licenses, venue owners wrote Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim this week. Delrahim will testify Wednesday with FTC Chairman Joe Simons before the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee (see 1808290060). DOJ is reviewing whether the music licensing consent decrees are still needed. More than 1,250 public venue owners signed the letter, which was written by the National Restaurant Association, WineAmerica and American Beverage Licensees. DOJ didn’t comment.