Behind the scenes of ASCAP & BMI: "...ASCAP lost in federal court on charges of price-fixing, racketeering and monopolistic activities. The decision was reversed in appeals court..." When I was working at a radio station, I remember hearing that the ASCAP & BMI fees were a large part of the operating costs. I've always wondered how they work. Now I know. It's legalized extortion in the name of artists...but only the biggest artists see a dime. [via Metafilter]