PERFORMANCE RIGHTS

There’s another side to the performance rights argument (“Play It Again Scam,” by R. Daniel Foster, Palm Latitudes, Jan. 10).

When a record, tape or CD is purchased, everyone involved in the production gets a cut of the pie. Artists, writers and, of course, the giant record companies, all get royalties--millions of the public’s dollars.

Copyright laws have been with us for a long time. However, it strikes me as ridiculous that one who purchases a record, tape or CD is required by law to pay a yearly fee to ASCAP and/or BMI to play it in public. And this law also covers music played on TV, radio and “canned” music systems in public places. It’s like buying a new Chevrolet and having General Motors charge you a fee every time you take it out of the garage.

So many roadblocks are thrown in front of the average small-businessman today in the form of licenses and fees. It takes more courage, faith, determination and pioneering spirit than ever to enter the realm of “free enterprise.” Why discourage the pursuit of the American Dream with unreasonable handicaps?

D. NICK NIXON

Yucca Valley