Customer ReviewsforSESAC, Inc.

Just like BMI, Sesac has continued to harass my restaurant demanding that we pay them for licensing despite the fact that we use a licensing service which is our only source of music aside from original singer songwriters that perform their own music. Email after email, letter after letter. When I respond, it’s like they can’t comprehend we aren't indebted to them and just continue to repeat their demands.

Our business closed on 12/31/22. We called SESAC is January and indicated this and to not bill our business. I just spoke to a "rep" located not in the USA. They argued on the phone with me and lied to me that SESAC had NOT charged my credit card. They then also lied and indicated that I, on a voluntary basis, paid SESAC from my bank account. That is not true. They also lied and indicated that my credit card on file was expired, thus they could not have charged my card. They also LIED and indicated that my account was/is not on auto renewal. SESAC illegally deducted $600+ in July of 2023 from my **** card. I emailed them the proof. I agree with other BBB reviews that they are akin to a crime organization, that steals money as they did with my business.

SESAC is essentially the mafia legalized. They have constantly harassed me and my business, claiming that they, and they alone own all rights to music. I'm told that I cannot play live music in my yoga studio, that the use of a sound bowl, which resonates with the key of C, is copyrighted - that simple chanting of Om Shanti is owned exclusively by them - that the Fairness in Music Licensing Act of 1998 was replaced with the Sony Bono Act and that I am not even allowed to play the radio in my small yoga studio. They refuse to acknowledge licenses by other companies that I have used in the past such as ******* *****, ** for business, ************, **** - despite those companies claiming they have license agreements that allow me to play music. According to Jay M****l the only way they will stop harassing me is if I get a lawyer to sue to the company - and he refuses to send me the legit contact of any supervisor at SESAC. Of course, their 'representatives' also love to claim that for a small bitcoin fee it can all go away...such a reprehensible company!

We are a small business that rarely has live music since Covid. Notwithstanding we continued with our licenses with ***** and *** and for the few events held since the end of Covid we restricted anyone playing music to only play music licensed by ***** and ***. In March 2022, SESAC via its agent Marc S****, contacted us about licensing with them. We informed him that we only play music licensed by ***** and *** when and if we were going to resume having live music. Currently, we play music licensed by **********. Marc suggested that we agreed to a fee of $239 for the period from July 1 2022 to June 30 2023 that would cover us for 5 events. However, they presented an onerous contract which we were told was non-negotiable.
We signed a simple agreement detailing what we had agreed to and sent in a check for $239 which they never cashed. Now, 3 months later a new agent is harassing us to sign the contract.
or else. However, we refused to sign their onerous contract which we were told was non-negotiable. Auto-renewing, fines for exceeding 5 events, limits on people, liquidated damages and 8 pages of legal rights of SESAC to sue us if we break any of their rules. PS. The new fee is $254 and they want the additional $15 plus the contract. Music is not big of a deal for us so it is best that we simply not have live music and play recorded music covered by our ********** agreement. Sesac claims that we cannot host a live event without violating one of their licensing agreements. The simple solution, stop hosting live music, and discontinue our contracts with *** and ***** so that local musicians lose a venue and opportunity. Accordingly, I have asked SESAC to return my check since they have violated the agreement that I believed was in place with their first agent.

A SESAC representation (Mae G*****) continues to harass my business with accusations of music infringement violations, but can't provide any information to substantiate her claim. My business is family, veteran and minority owned and I'm not in the habit of paying bills for unwarranted or needed services. I currently have a music licensing service that I pay and request any/all performers to review their website and ensure any music played is covered by their service. Music licensing businesses just randomly sending bills out to venues is just absolutely ridiculous.

Owner/Proprietor

This company is a scam that trys to convince you that you own them money for music rights. I do nothing with music, they refuse to hear that; that is how I know they are a scam.