This topic has come up often on Museum-L over the past several years. I think many museums, especially small and medium ones, are jolted when they receive the letters from BMI and ASCAP, threatening legal action if they don't pay yearly licensing fees to those PRO's (Performing Rights Organizations). From the responses in the past, and in talking with colleagues, there are reactions that range from, "we're non-profit", "fair-use covers us" to, "we're only playing CD's". So there are misunderstandings of the copyright law and licensing and how it applies to museums and non-profits. There are also misunderstandings about the PRO's and how those letters are sent to basically shake down small organizations for yearly fees. In addition to my work in conservation and with museums I have also been involved with the songwriting community here in Los Angeles for years (I was the Executive Director of Songsalive! for 4 years). Many small coffee shops and restaurants also receive those same form letters from BMI and ASCAP and many have shut down live music as a result. I develop and teach online courses for museum professionals, mostly in conservation, but have a new course starting on Sept. 21st. on, "Copyright and Intellectual Property 101 for Museums" from the knowledge and sources I have acquired on it over the years.