56:3A-7. Performing rights society, prohibited practices

7. No performing rights society, or any agent or employee thereof shall:

a. enter onto the premises of a proprietor's business for the purpose of discussing a contract for the payment of royalties by that proprietor without first identifying himself to the proprietor or his employees and disclosing that he is acting on behalf of the performing rights society and disclosing the purpose of the discussion;

b. collect or attempt to collect a royalty payment or any other fee except as provided in a contract executed pursuant to the provisions of this act on or after the effective date of this act;

c. use or attempt to use any unfair or deceptive act or practice in dealing with a proprietor;

d. use or attempt to use any act or practice that is substantially disruptive to a proprietor's business; or

e. commence or threaten to commence legal proceedings in connection with an alleged copyright violation unless that performing rights society shall have advised the proprietor that the proprietor may comply with the federal copyright law pursuant to Title 17 of the United States Code with respect to copyrighted musical works in that performing rights society's repertory by:

(1) obtaining a license from that performing rights society; or

(2) discontinuing all nondramatic public performances of music in that performing rights society's repertory; or

(3) obtaining authorization for nondramatic public performances directly from the copyright owners who are members of that performing rights society.

L.1996,c.122,s.7.