Public Performance, Private Liability: That Place Bar Named in Copyright Infringement Suit

A group of music publishers and copyright owners—including Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), Howe Sound Music Publishing LLC, d/b/a Cypress Park Music, House of Cash, Inc., Showbilly Music, Muscle Shoals Sound Publishing Co., Peermusic III Ltd., Sony/ATV Songs LLC, d/b/a Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, Buffalo Prairie Songs, Fame Publishing Company LLC, and Southeastern Publishing LLC—has filed a lawsuit against That Place Bar LLC, and an individual named Scott Coyle. The plaintiffs have made claims of willful copyright infringement, alleging that the bar played or permitted the public performance of songs from the BMI music collection without obtaining the required license.

BMI manages the rights to over 22 million songs and is authorized to grant licenses that allow businesses to play these songs in public. According to the lawsuit, That Place Bar, located in Indianapolis, Indiana and operated by That Place Bar LLC, played music from BMI’s collection without getting the required license. Since March 2024, BMI says it contacted the bar more than 50 times—by phone, email, and mail—to explain the need for a license and to warn them to stop playing the music. These efforts included formal notices ordering them to stop, but the bar allegedly continued to use the music without permission.

The lawsuit includes seven separate claims of copyright infringement, each involving different songs owned by the plaintiffs. It also states that Scott Coyle, as the manager of the bar, had control over the business and a financial interest in its operation. Therefore, he is also being held responsible.

The plaintiffs say the bar’s actions have caused serious harm and may continue to cause damage if not stopped. They are asking the court to order the bar to stop playing their music without a license, to award money for damages, and to make the bar pay legal fees.

The case has been assigned to Judge Matthew P. Brookman and Magistrate Judge M. Kendra Klump in the U.S. District Court of Southern Indiana Case No. 1:25-cv-00826.

Complaint