Austin Bars Get ASCAP In Their Ass

Targeting two dozen establishments around the country, nonprofit music licensing outfit ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) today issued a slew of lawsuits against nightclubs, bars and restaurants for alleged copyright infringements.

The two Austin bars targeted were Spill (Sixth Street) and Nasty's (near UT), both now accused of playing "copyrighted works of ASCAP's songwriter, composer and music publisher members without gaining permission, resulting in lost income for the writers and publishers."

Neither bars could be reached for comment, according to the Austin Business Journal. Both are now facing fines of anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 -- hefty figures, we say, although we also have no idea how much a "licensing fee" actually costs.

And, in other music news, the Sex Pistols told the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to shove it.