ASCAP filed federal copyright infringement lawsuits against four commercial radio groups for allegedly broadcasting its members’ music without a valid license for several years. The performing rights organization took legal action after exhausting repeated outreach attempts to resolve the licensing lapses. The defendants include Haugo Broadcasting Inc. in South Dakota, Spoon River Media, LLC in Indiana, Taylor Communications in Mississippi, and Barry Lunderville Radio in New Hampshire, which collectively operate 15 radio stations across four states.
For independent station owners, general managers, and programmers, this enforcement wave serves as a stark compliance reminder. Most commercial terrestrial radio stations in the United States secure legal permission to play music by licensing the repository via an industry-wide deal established by the Radio Music License Committee. However, the four named defendants are not covered under that collective banner. The committee and the performing rights group previously settled rate court litigation in August 2025, defining commercial broadcast licensing terms through 2029.
Under federal copyright law, broadcasting music without proper permission exposes station operators to severe financial penalties, including statutory damages of up to 150,000 dollars per infringed work. Music licensing requires tracking multiple rights groups like BMI, SESAC, and Global Music Rights, as a license with one entity does not clear the others.
“Music is the lifeblood of radio, and the overwhelming majority of radio stations follow the law,” said Paul Williams, ASCAP Chairman of the Board, President, and songwriter. “Radio station owners know that an ASCAP blanket license allows them to offer music legally, efficiently and at a reasonable price – while compensating music creators fairly.”
Clara Kim, EVP and Chief Legal and Business Affairs Officer, emphasized that the litigation acts as a last resort. “We don’t take legal action lightly. When a station refuses to pay for the music that makes their business possible, we have a responsibility to our members to take action,” Kim stated. Commercial operators must review their licensing standing to safeguard bottom-line revenues from multi-million dollar liability risks.