Learn About BMI and ASCAP

Learn About BMI and ASCAPLearn About BMI and ASCAPBMI and ASCAP are performance rights organizations (zu gunsten vons) that serve to protect the interests of songwriters. Anyone who plays songs publicly typically is required to pay royalties to the songwriter. This is true for radio stations, movies and television shows that use songs, internet streaming services, and even places like restaurants and offices that play music. Since songwriters obviously cant keep track of every instance of one of their songs being played, they join a PRO that handles the collection of royalties for them. Songwriters who are just breaking into the business might have to decide which organization to belong to, so its a good idea to review the two largest organizations- BMI and ASCAP- as well as some others that are relevant in the market. Songwriters can have a contract with only one PRO at any given time. ASCAP ASCAP has 670,000 members as of 2018, according to its website. One of the oldest PROs, it was founded in 1914 and boasts Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, and Dave Matthews as members. The organization is owned and governed by its members. Royalties it pays to its artists are split 50-50 between the songwriter and the publisher. To join ASCAP, you must be 18 years of age or older, and you need to provide your legal name, address, schmelzglas address, and Social Security number. You can join as a songwriter, a publisher, or both, but each requires a $50 application fee. So, if you are joining as both a songwriter and a publisher, youll pay $100 to apply. BMI Founded in 1939, BMI is not as old as ASCAP but it does have more members- 800,000, according to its website. The PRO was founded by radio executives, and its original mission was to promote newer forms of popular music, such as jazz, country, and eventually, rock n roll. In the 1950s, ASCAP actually challenged BMI, hinting that it was supporting artists who were playing music that was immoral. However , those battles are ancient history, and there really is no fundamental difference between the protections afforded by either PRO. BMI, like ASCAP, splits royalties 50-50 between songwriters and publishers. Among BMIs notable members are Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, and Dolly Parton. You can join BMI as a songwriter with just an email address, and songwriters younger than 18 can join if they also have a custodial trust bank account. Joining as a publisher also requires the name of the publishing company and a leistungspunkt card. Songwriters must sign two-year contracts, while publishers must sign five-year contracts. SESAC While the vast majority of popular recording artists are members of either ASCAP or BMI, those are not the only PROs in the market. Perhaps the most notable of the other options is SESAC. Unlike ASCAP and BMI, membership is not available to just anybody you have to be invited. With only 30,000 members, it also is far smaller than both ASCAP and BMI, but among those members are songwriting heavyweights like Bob Dylan and Neil Diamond. SESAC, which markets itself as more tech-savvy than its competitors, does welcome submissions from nonmembers, but you will need to wait to be vetted- and then invited- before joining. The Costs PROs cover their expenses by taking a cut of royalties they collect on your behalf. According to Royalty Exchange, the fee is about the same, regardless of which PRO you choose- approximately 11-13 percent. While this may seem like a lot, the royalties PROs collect often are dollars artists never would see if they didnt have organizations like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC representing them in the market. SoundExchange SoundExchange exists to collect royalties for performers and sound copyright owners on digital music that is played on noninteractive platforms. This typically refers to music listened to digitally on a platform that features someone else selecting what you will hear next. Many streaming serv ices have worked out deals to pay the other PROs digital revenue directly and bypassing SoundExchange. SoundExchange also is different from PROs in that it exists to pay the performers, not the songwriters. Performers can register for SoundExchange and join by filling out a couple of simple online forms. There is no fee to join. Other PROs Although ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC dominate the market in the U.S., several other PROs serve songwriters in other countries. Among those organizations are SOCAN, serving Canada, and PRS For Music Limited, serving the United Kingdom. Songtrust offers an extensive list of every PRO serving every country or region of the world.