What are performing rights and digital performance rights?A "public performance" is one that occurs in a place open to the public or any place where people, other than a small circle of family and its social acquaintances, gather. A "public performance" also occurs when a song is played for the public reception via the radio, TV or cable broadcast; via telephone or wire transmission; or over the Internet. To perform a musical composition publicly, the user must obtain a license from the copyright owner or his representatives. There are some exceptions for certain governmental, educational or religious uses.
Sound recording owners have limited public performance rights as well. Since February 1, 1996, sound recording owners have the exclusive right to control interactive digital performances of their sound recordings. Under copyright law, an "interactive service" is defined as "one that enables a member of the public to receive a transmission of a program specially created for the recipient, or on a request, a transmission of a particular sound recording, whether or not as part of a program, which is selected by or on behalf of the recipient." Where a service is interactive in nature, the sound recording copyright owner's exclusive right applies regardless of whether a fee is charged to receive the transmission.
In addition, the Act gives sound recording copyright owners certain rights relating to various types of noninteractive transmission (including both subscription and nonsubscription transmissions). For more information on these rights, please consult
http://www.riaa.com/weblic/weblic.htm.
. . . Leads me to believe that the distributon of a song in a mod would constitute a "public performance," HOWEVER, I sincerely doubt they would go after you or even take a vague interest in doing so.