Not quite on target, but I wanted to share this anyway. For many years I operated a background music company and paid ASCAP and BMI (copywrite organizations) monthly fees for the music I played in businesses. The law requires this, and a business can take out it's own individual license making it legal to play music from CD's, radio, etc. in their business. But most don't. They just put in a sound system and play a radio or whatever. They feel if the music is off the air, or if they bought the CD they are free to play it.
The reason for ASCAP and BMI is that musicians and composers sign up with them so that they can get paid for the use of the music they created. And why not? If they did the work, they should get the rewards. It's much like the other copyright laws, same purpose.
I confess that if I knew of a large restaurant, retail store, etc. doing this, I would notify ASCAP/BMI that this was happening. But if it was a small establishment, I never did. They probably couldn't afford or justify paying for music. If you think about it, it's entirely possible that someone like you seeing these violations might let the copywrite owners know about it. That's not a recommendation, just the reality of how many get caught. It's a way of cutting out unfair competition.
BTW, it's OK to play a regular radio or stereo in a business through it's associated speakers, but not through an external sound system with five or more speakers.
