I think the problem is with karaoke types (either singing or playing an instrument with background music) and not paying royalties.
Live bands can play all day and no one is going to question them UNLESS they are the direct draw as in a show. Then ASCAP will be on them.
Most of the music played in the squares is "in the public domain" anyway.
Remember, you can sing a Willy Nelson song all day and no one will bother you.
But if you throw on some background music or vocals...well, someone is trying to make a living making those disks.
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Remember, the early bird may get the worm but the second rat always gets the cheese
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