PITTSBURGH -- When a ringtone plays in public, it's often heard by more than just one person, prompting a music industry licensing group to claim that those "performances" should be paid for.
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers wants wireless providers AT&T and Verizon to pay licensing fees.
"I think it's pretty ridiculous. I think these companies are trying to make money off everything," said ringtone downloader Matt Cappetta.
By that rationale, if letting a cell phone ringtone play in public is considered a public performance, critics argue the same could be said for playing loud music in a car with the top and windows down.
"The main point that the industry is making is that there is a substantial financial benefit being made by the cell phone companies in the process of selling these ring tones," said copyright attorney Alex Hershey, of Thorp Reed & Armstrong.
Hershey said the music industry is not pursuing individual downloaders.
The industry is suing wireless providers that may charge more for the music.
The music industry has not said how much money it's looking for in the lawsuit, but some reports indicate it's looking to make royalties from songs inside consumer's phones retroactive.
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