A group that said it represents music publishers today announced that it has filed "infringement actions" against 29 nightclubs, bars and restaurants nationwide, including Ice Ultra Lounge in Indianapolis.

In each of the cases, the business establishment has publicly performed the copyrighted musical works of a songwriter, composer and music publisher members without obtaining a license from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

In a news release this morning, ASCAP said it "reached out to the owners of each of the establishments repeatedly over a significant period of time before taking legal action."

In every instance, the establishment "refused to obtain a license, but continued to perform ASCAP members' music without permission, resulting in the filing of the infringement actions." Advertisement

"By filing these 29 actions at the same time, ASCAP is aiming to heighten awareness among music users and the public that it is aFederal offense to perform copyrighted music without permission," said Vincent Candilora, ASCAP senior vice president of licensing, in a statement. " ... ASCAP not only has a right to collect license fees from the users of music, but it also has a responsibility to its members to ensure they are adequately compensated for their hard work."

Those licensed by ASCAP include any establishment or business that wants to perform copyrighted music publicly.

A message was left at Ice, 235 S. Meridian St., which advertises three floors and 10,000 square feet of space. It operates Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

You can click here to see the Ice website or here to view ASCAP's site.