Tresóna Multimedia Sues Burbank Show Choir Promoter for Copyright Infringement

PHOENIX, April 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Tresóna Multimedia, LLC, a music licensing firm representing music publishers for custom arrangement licensing, synchronization licensing and dramatic rights licensing, has filed a lawsuit in Federal Court, Federal District of Arizona (No. CV 16-975-PHX-PGR) against Burbank High School Vocal Music Association (BHSVMA), the promotional company and operator of the famous Burbank Show Choirs, and the host of the Burbank Blast Show Choir Festival for allegedly infringing 98 music compositions without license. Also named in the suit is Burbank's show choir director Brett Carroll, who occasionally performs with his groups.

According to the complaint, this corporation's tax returns show that in the past year they spent $98,000 on costumes, $40,000 for choreographers, $198,000 on 'other outside services,' $40,000 on arrangers, and $89,000 on travel expenses but have not obtained any custom arrangement licenses for the music they perform at shows all over the country. The total cost of the 40 custom arrangement licenses that Burbank uses each year would be less than 2% of their $500,000 annual budget.

"The majority of show choirs recognize the rights holders and obtain the proper licenses. It is unfortunate that some programs do not," said Larry Mills, EVP of Tresóna. "Tresóna tried very hard to work with the Burbank High School Vocal Music Association over the last two years, encouraging them to obtain the legally required licenses and to simply recognize the rights of the songwriters.  It is disappointing that this is happening in the very cradle of creativity for the entertainment industry."

Michael Eames, President of PEN Music Group and the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP), said, "Unfortunately, my client's songs have been used without their permission and I have spent many hours on this issue, pleading with Burbank's show choirs for the last two years to do the right thing and obtain proper licensing. PEN issues licenses to other show choirs operating in Burbank's district and all over the country, so it is upsetting that Burbank has not obtained the required licenses. As an independent publisher, my writers are always appreciative when their music is licensed and they are able to make a living from their hard work."

According to the Copyright Act, anyone who creates a derivative work, which includes a custom arrangement, must obtain permission in advance from the rights holder. The rates for these are negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

**Copy of the filed complaint No. CV 16-975-PHX-PGR)**

About Tresóna:  Tresóna is the leading issuer of custom arrangement licensing on behalf of rights holder in the United States.  Tresóna also uses their patent pending technology to issue licenses for dramatic rights and synchronization licenses to performance ensembles, focusing on making it easy for licensees to access the repertoire they need while protecting the rights of songwriters and rights holders.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160420/358147LOGO 

SOURCE Tresona Multimedia, LLC

Related Links

http://www.tresonamusic.com