Jukebox Licensing Discount Remains In Place For AMOA Members Association Issues Advisory

NASHVILLE -- The Jukebox License Office has released its 2016 rates for CD and vinyl jukeboxes. The new rates, which include the performing rights organizations ASCAP, BMI and SESAC, continue to include the discounts for members of the Amusement and Music Operators Association. According to the JLO and AMOA, all licensees pay the same amount for securing one jukebox license, but a substantial discount applies to the second and all subsequent licenses purchased by AMOA member operators.

For 2016, the fee on the first license is $477, a $1 increase over 2015. On the second and all jukeboxes purchased thereafter next year, a nonmember pays $110, while AMOA members only pay $81, a savings of $29 a box. To qualify for this discount, a jukebox operator must first renew his or her 2016 AMOA membership, and provide the JLO with their AMOA identification number. Payments are due Mar. 15.

The licensing rates apply only to CD and vinyl jukeboxes, since digital machines are covered under a different structure. However, according to the AMOA's last available numbers, there were approximately 2,650 CD and vinyl jukeboxes licensed with JLO and operated by AMOA members.

Separately, AMOA has released an advisory memo to its member operators reminding them of potential penalties associated with unlicensed jukeboxes. The costs could amount to penalties ranging from $750 to $30,000 per song. The threat of penalties, according to the advisory, is real, as the PROs continue to file suits against operators and venues nationwide.

In order to help its members with licensing compliance, AMOA is offering a webpage that details the new licensing structure and includes a rate calculator.

The JLO administers the Jukebox License Agreement on behalf of ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. The agreement enables operators to pay a blanket fee to cover all public performance of copyrighted music that is protected by the PROs. Fees are normally adjusted according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index. The agreement does not cover digital downloading machines, whose networking software records actual plays and computes royalty payments.