Music copyright owners file six public performance suits against venue operators in six states

The six complaints

Strictly Rhythm Records, Inc. v. Wintergarden Hospitality Group, LLC, No. 2:26-cv-03983 (W.D. Wash.). Strictly Rhythm Records, Inc. d/b/a Strictly Rhythm Publishing, Mark Hoppus d/b/a HMNIM Music, Jobete Music Company, Inc., and W Chappell Music Corp. d/b/a WC Music Corp. sue Wintergarden Hospitality Group, LLC, which the complaint alleges, on information and belief, is a Washington company with offices in Bellevue, Washington, and says operates Suite Restaurant and Lounge in Bellevue, and Keith Olson, alleged on information and belief to reside and/or do business in the district and said to be its managing member and/or owner. The complaint alleges that the defendants obtained an ASCAP license effective January 15, 2013, failed to pay the license fees, and that ASCAP terminated the license on June 30, 2022, after which the defendants refused all of ASCAP's offers to relicense. Schedule A, part of the public complaint, lists four compositions performed on August 1 or 2, 2026: I Like to Move It (PA 1-062-746), All the Small Things (PA 957-349), Somebody's Watching Me (PAu 531-805), and No Hands (PA 1-739-078). Counsel are Harry H. Schneider, Jr. and Meeghan Dooley of Ashurst Perkins Coie US LLP. (Compl. paras. 5 to 18, 27; Schedule A.)

Stygian Songs v. Goodnight Johnny's American Music Bar, LLC, No. 1:26-cv-14727 (D. Mass.), assigned to Judge Myong J. Joun. Stygian Songs, Turkey On Rye Music d/b/a Do I Get A Pickle With That Music, and W Chappell Music Corp. d/b/a WC Music Corp. sue Goodnight Johnny's American Music Bar, LLC, which the complaint alleges, on information and belief, is a Massachusetts company based in Burlington, Massachusetts, and says operates Goodnight Johnny's American Music Bar there, and John C. Thibault, alleged to reside and/or do business in the district and to be an owner, officer, and/or principal of the company. The complaint alleges that music has been publicly performed at the bar since at least 2023 without a license from the plaintiffs or ASCAP, and that over years of contacts the defendants refused all of ASCAP's license offers. It pleads three causes of action and alleges willful infringement. Schedule A, which identifies the compositions, registrations, and performance dates, is not publicly available. The requested injunction also covers any other compositions in the ASCAP repertory for which the defendants have no license. Counsel is Eric C. Osterberg of Dilworth IP, LLC. (Compl. paras. 4 to 33; p. 5.)

Ice Nine Publishing, Inc. v. Barn Partners, LLC, No. 4:26-cv-01795 (E.D. Mo.). Ice Nine Publishing, Inc., Mark Hoppus d/b/a HMNIM Music, But Father, I Just Want To Sing Music, and W Chappell Music Corp. d/b/a WC Music Corp. sue Barn Partners, LLC, which the complaint alleges, on information and belief, is a Missouri company with offices in Ballwin, Missouri, and says operates Sky Music Lounge in Ballwin, and David Stolze, alleged on information and belief to reside and/or do business in the district and said to be an owner, officer, director, and/or member of the company. The complaint alleges that the defendants obtained an ASCAP license effective June 1, 2008, failed to pay the license fees, and that ASCAP terminated the license on September 30, 2015, after which the defendants refused all of ASCAP's offers to relicense. Schedule A, a public attachment, lists four compositions performed on July 24, 2026: Shakedown Street (PA 35-291), Brick By Boring Brick (PA 1-676-905), That's What You Get (PA 1-595-073), and All the Small Things (PA 957-349). Counsel are Douglas A. Copeland and Kelsey E. Thompson of RA Jeep Law, LLC. (Compl. paras. 5 to 18, 24; Dkt. 1-1.)

Universal Music Corp. v. Idle Zone LLC, No. 2:26-cv-00505 (N.D. Ind.), assigned to Magistrate Judge Abizer Zanzi. Eleven plaintiffs, Universal Music Corp., Holmes Creek Music, Purple Rabbit Music, GetARealJob Music, Polygram Publishing, Inc., Flying Rabbi, Raw Poo Music, Born in the Flood, LLC, Music II LLC d/b/a Publishing Two's Music, Duke of Earle, and W Chappell Music Corp. d/b/a WC Music Corp., sue Idle Zone, LLC, which the complaint alleges, on information and belief, is an Indiana company with offices in Monticello, Indiana, and says operates Janet's Intown Lounge there, and John F. Foster and Nathan Baker, each alleged on information and belief to reside and/or do business in the district and said to be its managing members and/or owners. The complaint alleges that ASCAP representatives have tried to reach the defendants for several years by mail, telephone, and email, and that the defendants refused all of ASCAP's license offers. It pleads eight causes of action. Schedule A, which identifies the compositions, registrations, and performance dates, is not publicly available. Counsel is Meaghan Klem Haller of Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLP. (Compl. paras. 3 to 20.)

Shae Shae Music v. The Salty 4, LLC, No. 1:26-cv-13579 (D.N.J.), assigned to Chief Judge Renee Marie Bumb and Magistrate Judge Ethan A. Hougah. Shae Shae Music, Emergency Music, Inc., Shapiro Bernstein & Company, Inc., and Perren Vibes Music, Inc. sue The Salty 4, LLC, which the complaint alleges, on information and belief, is a New Jersey company based in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and says operates Moments at Scannicchio's there, and Thomas A. Piermatteo and John Varalli, each alleged on information and belief to reside and/or do business in the district and said to be owners, officers, directors, and/or members of the company. The complaint alleges that ASCAP has contacted the defendants by telephone, mail, and email since June 2025 and that they refused all of its license offers. It pleads three causes of action, one for a composition it says was registered as unpublished. Schedule A, which identifies the compositions, registrations, and performance dates, is not publicly available. Counsel are Elizabeth Seidlin-Bernstein and Noah Robbins (pro hac vice forthcoming) of Ballard Spahr LLP. (Compl. paras. 1 to 24.)

Purple Rabbit Music v. Boutique Hospitality Co., LLC, No. 2:26-cv-13981 (E.D. Mich.), assigned to Judge Robert J. White and referred to Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Stafford. Purple Rabbit Music, W Chappell Music Corp. d/b/a WC Music Corp., Frankie C. Gaye d/b/a FCG Music, Marvin Gaye, III d/b/a MG III Music, Nona M. Gaye d/b/a NMG Music, and Perren Vibes Music, Inc. sue Boutique Hospitality Co., LLC, which the complaint alleges, on information and belief, is a Michigan company based in Royal Oak, Michigan, and says operates the Hotel Royal Oak there, and James B. Rasor, alleged on information and belief to reside or do business in the district and to be a member, officer, and/or owner of the company. The complaint alleges that ASCAP representatives have tried for several years to reach the defendants by mail, email, telephone, and in person, that the defendants refused all of ASCAP's license offers, and that they went ahead with performances after being specifically warned, which it says shows willful infringement justifying enhanced damages. It pleads four causes of action, two for compositions it says were registered as unpublished and two it says are in their renewal term. Schedule A, which identifies the compositions, registrations, and performance dates, is not publicly available. Its prayer seeks statutory damages under 17 U.S.C. 504(c) in each cause of action. Counsel is Brian D. Wassom of Warner Norcross + Judd LLP. (Compl. paras. 5 to 25; p. 7.)

What the complaints share

In all six, the plaintiffs allege they are ASCAP members and plead jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. 1338(a) and venue under 28 U.S.C. 1400(a). Each sues the operating company and one or two individuals alleged to own or run it, alleging that the defendants jointly have the right and ability to supervise performances at the venue and that each derives a direct financial benefit from them. Each alleges performances on the dates in its Schedule A and, upon information and belief, at other times. Each prays for a permanent injunction against performing the compositions at the venue or any place the defendants own, control, or manage; statutory damages under 17 U.S.C. 504(c) in each cause of action, which five of the complaints state as not more than $30,000 nor less than $750 under 504(c)(1); costs, with a reasonable attorney's fee as part of the costs; and other just and equitable relief. W Chappell Music Corp. d/b/a WC Music Corp. is a plaintiff in five of the cases, and Mark Hoppus d/b/a HMNIM Music, Purple Rabbit Music, and Perren Vibes Music, Inc. are each plaintiffs in two.

The public dockets, as last updated on October 20 or 21, 2026, show summonses issued in the Washington, Massachusetts, Indiana, New Jersey, and Michigan cases; the Missouri docket shows summonses submitted with the complaint, a notice of filing deficiency and filings to correct it, and disclosure statements. Watch for service and for the defendants' responses.