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SESAC, Inc.

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

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Complaints

This profile includes complaints for SESAC, Inc.'s headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see

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SESAC, Inc. has 3 locations, listed below.

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    Customer Complaints Summary

    • 29 total complaints in the last 3 years.
    • 12 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

    If you've experienced an issue

    Submit a Complaint

    The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

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    Complaint status

    Complaint type

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:06/24/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      We are a small business that already has 1 music license, we can't afford to have every license. ********************** emails us constantly after we've told them we are not interested. Most recently there was a veiled threat, I'mpastingit as a quote: "Just a reminder that if you get caught playing music without a SESAC license, you can be held liable for copyright infringement and the damages range up to $150,000 per unauthorized song performed. This is what we are trying to avoid happening" I told them that if we are interested we will reach out to them but they don't stop.We need help and we don't want them coming after us, thanks.

      Business Response

      Date: 06/25/2024

      We appreciate the complainant raising this issue regarding outreach from SESAC.  Unfortunately, the complaint reveals a meaningful misunderstanding regarding public performance music licensing in that the complainant business should obtain all appropriate authorization to allow the use of music at their facility.  And while a license with a single ******************************* (PRO) is a step in the right direction toward overall compliance with US Copyright Law, that single license only authorizes the business for songs represented by that specific PRO and does not authorize the business to allow the public performance of music, live or mechanical, covered by a different PRO, in this case SESAC.  As such, the complainant could effectively be liable for copyright infringement if allowing SESAC music to be performed, which it appears our team member was attempting to communicate.  That said, we have closed the prospect record for this business and the complainant should not be hearing from our team going forward.  However, there is a continued liability in remaining under-licensed and benefit for the business in deciding to obtain broader, in this case SESAC, authorization as most similarly situated businesses do regularly.  We'd urge the complainant to further research music licensing and consider limiting their potential liability by obtaining a SESAC license at some point in the future.  At that time, should they have any questions for our team, SESAC will be happy to assist.  They are always welcome to visit us online at www.sesac.com.     

      Customer Answer

      Date: 06/25/2024

       
      Better Business Bureau:

      I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

      Sincerely,

      *************************

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:02/27/2024

      Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I am here at BBB because SESAC has no means direct contact line on their website. My complaint is that I wanted to know if they had a song I was interest in. But to do that they asked for a slew of information which I filled out online, in good faith, on February 26, 2024. THen they proceeded to ******* my email box to buy their license. Furthermore, their "subsubscribe button" does absolutely nothing. This company, which I thought was a valid professional company, has l left me no choice but to file this with BBB. Please have then stop bombarding my inbox. I am not interested in them at all.

      Customer Answer

      Date: 02/27/2024

      I want to correct the typo that SESAC's "unsubscribe Button" link does not work in their emails. And I wish they had a direct email contact on their website for more efficiency. Thanks.

      Business Response

      Date: 02/29/2024

      We appreciate the complainant bringing this to our attention.  Based on the complaint and the prospect record that was created when the complainant partially completed the online licensing form for obtaining a new license, a follow up task and automated email from our Licensing team was created.  Depending on the complainant's needs, they are welcome to contact SESAC back via our customer service line at ************ or visit our repertory search or online FAQ sections at sesac.com to address any additional questions.  To confirm, the complainant should not receive additional outreach at this point and the prospect record created from the complainants visit to the SESAC website has been closed.   

      Customer Answer

      Date: 03/04/2024

      Hello,

      I am happy that SESAC responded promptly and that the multiple emails have stopped. I understand that the case is closed but I want to ask that SESAC also delete the personal data that was collected about me for reasons that were never made clear on the forms or in that online process.  If they please kindly confirm with BBB when they do securely delete all my information from their system, this issue will be resolved.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. I appreciate it.

      Thank you,

      ***************************

       

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:09/27/2023

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      SESAC has repeatedly harassed our business for many months with phone calls and threatening emails. We have replied to these emails that we are "currently in contract" with a different company and to please stop harassing us, yet the threatening emails continue. This company representative is the same person who emails us over and over again. We are a small business (Yoga Studio) which rarely uses any music as most of our classes are either silent or teachers play their own instruments (sound bowls). Playing music during class is much too challenging as our space has high ceilings (with echos) and students need to hear the teachers verbal instruction. Our limited operating hours ( 3 hours a day) further illustrate the small scale of our business. Our primary focus is on revitalizing our business, particularly since the impact of Covid has severely affected it. It is becoming increasingly challenging for us to divert time and attention away from our core activities in order to address these threats. We have repeatedly communicated to the same representative that we do not require their services.

      Business Response

      Date: 09/27/2023

      SESAC appreciates the complainant bringing this matter to our attention.  This highlights a training opportunity with the representative who had been previously reaching out, and their supervisor has already taken next steps to address this matter internally.  The business should not be receiving further contact from SESAC.  

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:09/12/2023

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      We are a small franchise pizza sports pub in *************** *******. SESAC and *************************** will NOT cancel or terminate our contract stating auto renewal. We have been harrassed by them even though I have emailed and filed on their site the reason for our termination. We had live music in 2022 and our contract ended July 2023. We stopped/cancelled Live Music March 1 2023 due to low/no turn out from October 2022-February 2023 which was prior to the end of our contract. This low and NO turn out was due to the aftermath of Hurricane *** on September 28 2022. We were closed for almost a month when we reopened in October 2022. We tried to keep our music schedule hoping the turn out would grow as we went into season, but that did not happen and we were having bands play to a handful of customers or completely empty rooms. Our customers were more worried about having their homes torn down due to damage or fixing their homes or having to move. We had ********************** our neighborhood where our business is located. It has been a real struggle to do business and navigate this disastrous atmosphere as much of *************** and the surrounding area are still damaged or destroyed. We have told SESAC what we are going through but they do not care. SESAC wants us to pay the full contract for Live Music for auto renewal even though we are no longer able to have live music and stopped having it prior to the end of our last contract. They do not care all they want is a full renewal for live music even when we do not and can not have it or afford to have it!

      Business Response

      Date: 09/12/2023

      SESAC appreciates the complainant voicing this issue.  The direct supervisor of the SESAC team member tasked with collecting on the past due fees associated with the license has been notified to take immediate action both with that representative as well, to reach out to the complainant to better understand the circumstances that led to this outcome.  SESAC understands that its licensees' music uses can fluctuate over time and as such, authorization may require adjustment.  Based on the complainant, it appears the representative may have missed an opportunity to better understand the full scope of the situation failing to effectively advise the complainant.  We hope the complainant will further engage SESAC to discuss the matter and hopefully reach a better resolution.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:08/25/2023

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      SESAC has repeatedly emailed and submitted forms on our website about us needing to obtain a license. We go through a third party service which handles all licensing for us. I have emailed SESAC to explain this, but continue to get harassing emails saying we're out of compliance.

      Business Response

      Date: 09/15/2023

      SESAC appreciates the complainant raising this issue.  The supervisor for the representative who was previously reaching out has been notified and the matter will be addressed internally.  While the representative has been instructed to no longer contact the business, a member of our management team will be contacting the complainant to discuss. 

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:08/15/2023

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I am being harassed by SESAC to pay them money even though we have a license already to play background music.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/19/2023

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I received an email that said I required SEASC licensing for the Yoga classes at our studio. We have never played music in our business up until we reopened after being closed down during covid. We totally understand the need for artists to be paid for their work and have always promoted local musicians whenever possible. When we played music it was from basically 1 artist( ********, *******************************) whose cds we sell for about 30 min in each class. Please understand we are not a gym, we have a total of 5 yoga classes and 3 Tai Chi per week and are only there for the class times which amounts to 12 hours per week I have since cancelled the service and we are no longer playing music in the business, much as it was the first 18 years of our operation. The Style of yoga we previously taught prohibited the playing of music during classes as it took away from the clarity of the verbal instruction. So even having music in classes is something that is foreign to us.

      Business Response

      Date: 06/22/2023

      We appreciate the update from the complainant.  However, we do not have an existing business relationship, and our rep who had been reaching out to determine need for authorization has since closed the file as not needing a license at this time.  

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/22/2023

      Type:Customer Service Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      We are a small wine and craft beer bar who only has music once every few months. We have dealt with both BMI and ASCAP regarding licensing but continue to be harassed and threatened by ********************* with SESAC. Each time we request information regarding their program we are given a link to purchase a license with no further information. **************** then called and immediately began yelling at me to go to the link when I asked for information on how the licensing works. He refused to give me a quote, wouldn't let me speak and just kept telling me it was federal law. When I asked to get the contact infor for his supervisor he said he doesnt have one as he's a consultant. I then informed him he must report to someone within SESAC if he is a consultant for them but he continued to say he has no boss. Needless to say I won't be sending money to a random person who cannot even explain why I owe it and theatening me. We have let our musicians know that they are not permitted to play any artists who are represented by SESAC. I'd like the compnay to take our information off their call list as any further communication will be considered harassment and will be fowarded to our attorney.

      Business Response

      Date: 04/18/2023

      We greatly appreciate the feedback provided by the complainant and the appropriate supervisor has been notified.  This consultant does, in fact, have a manager, who will be following up with the consultant immediately.  SESAC will not be pursuing further licensing efforts for this location at this time.  We urge the complainant to reach out to our customer service team or visit ************************** FAQ section in case there are any questions we might be able to address for the complainant. 

      Customer Answer

      Date: 04/18/2023

       
      Better Business Bureau:

      I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

      Sincerely,

      *****************************

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:02/13/2023

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I own a small restaurant in ********** **. I have been harassed by SESAC licensing consultant ***************************** numerously about purchasing a music license from him. I already have ASCAP and BMI licenses. I have found thru investigating this information that there are 11 music licensing companies out there. What is going to keep them all from coming after me for money !! ****************** says Im not in compliance with **** Copyright Law. Through an email from *******, Im pretty sure he is threatening my business. How many of these music licenses do I need, to have live entertainment 4 months out of the year. The restaurant industry is struggling. Please help me with this. Thank you *****************************.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:01/09/2023

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I continue to get invoices for sesac service after my business closed on 4/31/22. I have sent notification several times, they offer no telephone number. I found a phone number online and it indicates as of today they are still closed for holidays (1/9/23). They have started emailing invoices along with mailed invoices. The business is closed and is no longer using their services. I need the invoices and harassment to stop.Account number *****.

    SESAC, Inc. is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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