BMI and two publishers sue the operator of Murphy's Corner KC in Lenexa and one of its members over five songs

The complaint

Broadcast Music, Inc. v. Fun Scotty Enterprises, LLC d/b/a Murphy's Corner KC, No. 2:26-cv-02539-TC-ADM (D. Kan.), was filed September 9, 2026 (5 pages), with Kansas City as the trial location. The plaintiffs are Broadcast Music, Inc., as agent for Broadcast Music, LLC; Evil Eye Music, Inc.; and Sony/ATV Songs LLC, in its own name and doing business as Sony/ATV Tree Publishing and Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music. The defendants are Fun Scotty Enterprises, LLC, a Kansas company that operates Murphy's Corner KC in Lenexa, Kansas, and its member Scott Lang. A docket entry on September 10, 2026 assigned the case to District Judge Toby Crouse and Magistrate Judge Angel D. Mitchell. (Compl. caption; paras. 3 to 13; minute entry of Sept. 10, 2026.)

What it alleges

The complaint says BMI licenses public performance rights in 22.4 million compositions and that the other plaintiffs own the copyrights at issue. It pleads matters other than those concerning the plaintiffs on information and belief. On that basis, it alleges that the company operates the establishment and publicly performs music there, that its member is responsible for its operation and management, with the right and ability to supervise and a direct financial interest, and that the defendants publicly performed five compositions from BMI's repertoire at the establishment without a license. It says BMI contacted the defendants more than 60 times since January 2025 by phone, mail, and email, including cease and desist notices, and pleads five claims of willful copyright infringement. Exhibit 1, the schedule that identifies the compositions, writers, registrations, and performance dates, is not available for free online. (Compl. paras. 3 to 21.)

Relief sought

The plaintiffs ask for an injunction under 17 U.S.C. 502, statutory damages under 17 U.S.C. 504(c), and costs and a reasonable attorney's fee under 17 U.S.C. 505. (Compl. Prayer I to IV.)

Docket activity

The clerk noted on September 10, 2026 that the designation of place of trial and the AO 121 copyright report were missing, and both were filed September 14, 2026. Praecipes were filed October 12, 2026, and summonses issued October 13, 2026. (ECF Nos. 4 to 7; minute entries of Sept. 10 and Oct. 13, 2026.)