PROs work with these organizations on the best prices for licensing, based on business need and size. Launched in 1914, ASCAP is the oldest of the "Big Three" by about 16 years. ASCAP is owned and run by its songwriter and publisher members, with a board elected by, and from, it’s membership. Traditional performance royalties vs. digital performance royalties. There are three main PROs at work in the United States are BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC. Calculate ASCAP and BMI. It’s familiar, dependable, and comfortable. A performance royalty is earned anytime your song is “publicly performed.” “Publicly performed” is a loose term, but basically means anytime your song is played in public. Each service comes with different benefits, such as workshops, conferences, awards, discounts, partnerships, and more. Comparison between BMI, ASCAP and SESAC: Bmi vs. sesac vs. ascap. Performing rights organizations (PROS) are businesses designed to represent songwriters and publishers and their right to be compensated for having their music performed in public. ASCAP was one of the first PROs. Can someone please explain what is … tweet Share. If you are a music professional looking for a PRO to license your work, which of these should you choose? What Is a Performing Rights Organization? We have one, single payment that covers both the streaming itself as well as any necessary public performing rights. U.S. Use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 2016 distribution: $400 million to $500 million (Billboard estimate). This website (the "Site") is operated by Royalty Exchange. SESAC pays its members quarterly royalty checks exactly like BMI and ASCAP. The costs are largely the same (keep in mind that in addition to membership fees, all PROs also take an estimated 11-13% fee from collected royalties to cover administrative costs and expenses). As far as being with the times, ASCAP is hipper and BMI is either asleep or not concerned that their members are left in the dark until their quarterly check comes. This includes fees … But we specifically focus on your company’s needs for music licensing, whether you need background music to create ambiance for your store or foreground music for a commercial you filmed. I currently pay SESAC, ASCAP and BMI a yearly fee. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Blackster Senior Member. Unfortunately, some of these representatives occasionally make inaccurate legal statements regarding your need for an additional license. Does anyone have substantial experience with songwriting and can recommend Select your account: My ASCAP … He is the founder of Musician With A Day Job, a blog to help part-time musicians succeed. Which PRO to join - ASCAP vs. BMI vs. SESAC vs. SoundExchange In order to maximize your royalty payouts, you should join SoundExchange to receive payouts for digital statutory royalties (for example, when your music is played on Pandora), and either BMI, ASCAP, or SESAC to receive payouts for public performance royalties (when your music is played on the radio , in a restaurant, etc.) FTC and PRO Compliance: What You Need to Know, Analyzing Business Owners' Workplace Music Habits, Using Amazon Show or Echo in Your Business. ASCAP’s Board of Directors is made up of artists represented by the company, who are nominated every two years. We use cookies to improve functions and performance for an optimal site experience. Denver, CO 80202 Once you choose a PRO and begin collecting quarterly public performance royalty checks, contact us to learn how to maximize their potential. Some writers may work with one, others may work with a second, and the performers may work with a third, or all three of them. 13 Common Questions About Music Licensing for Businesses, Let the Music Play: The Performance Rights License Marketplace Thrives Only with Vigilant Antitrust Enforcement. However, just because it is small now doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers), BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) and SESAC are … Current BMI member here. #769 The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a not-for-profit organization. BMI is in the same range. It is very selective about the members it takes on and all members must be approved by the PRO. ASCAP Vs BMI Vs SESAC Vs Sound Exchange: Everything You Need To Know. 00:00 / 01:15. How Much Are the Fines for Playing Music? Unlike BMI and ASCAP, SESAC is a private business that operates on profit. However, just because it is small now doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. No communication should be considered a recommendation of any investment opportunity and there can be no assurance that any investment valuation is accurate or that any investment opportunity is suitable for any particular investor. Here is an overview of the three biggest PROs, so you can determine if one catalogue is enough for your business or if you need access to all three options. Copyright Act. Good question. Reads: 19,112. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is the oldest PRO in the US and was founded on February 13, 1914. I never bought their licenses and never got sued. SongTrust vs ASCAP/BMI/SESAC When you buy products through links across our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. There are pros and cons to each of these entities, but there are also alternatives that allow you to stream music easily and cheaply. Smaller than ASCAP and BMI, SESAC represents 400,000 songs and 30,000 affiliated songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The four US PROS are listed below, however only three of them deal with public locations, ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Learn more Reply OPTIONS. With respect to how these PROs collect and distribute your money, there is really no difference between them. SESAC is the only for-profit private company among the "Big Three" PROs. This may make it seem like you, as a business owner, can become a member of just one and still get the specific music you want, which is not entirely true. These organizations act as the intermediary between songwriters and music users to protect intellectual property and make music licensing more convenient. Get An Instant Catalog Analysis & Valuation, begin collecting quarterly public performance royalty checks, Discount on membership to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Membership in the U.S. Alliance Federal Credit Union, Discounts on health, dental, instrument and life insurance via its MusicPro program, Discount on ASCAP Web Tools, a set of internet-based marketing and sales tools developed by Nimbit, Inc. for ASCAP members, Discounts on music-related retail products and services, Discounted Registration for Billboard Latin Conference Offered to BMI Affiliates, LARAS Offers Membership Discount to BMI Affiliates, NXNE Offers Special Discount to BMI Affiliates, Video Games Live Offers Special Discount to BMI Affiliates for LA Show, Billboard Touring Conference and Awards Offers Discounted Registration to BMI Affiliates, SESAC offers special discount at POPmarket, Discounted rate on CMA’s Sterling Individual membership, Free 3-month Musician’s Atlas online account, Discount subscriptions for Billboard Publications, Special organizational rate at The Hollywood Reporter, 33% discount to American Songwriter Magazine, NSAI and Frost Specialty Insurance Copyright Infringement Policy, Additional Discounts at Brickhouse Direct, Ameriprise Financial, COPYCATS, Disc Makers CD Manufacturing, Song U, Get It Guru, MasterWriter, Music Connection. ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, SOCAN, and GMR: The Guide to USA & Canada PROs Henry Schoonmaker Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) play a vital role in any songwriter's career – … Mariah Carey Drops a PRO Bomb — Moves Extensive Catalog to ASCAP. The exact catalogue offered by a certain PRO may be more appealing to you, as a business owner, compared to another catalogue. Contracts: What's Hidden in the Fine Print? These organizations then take those … More . BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.), ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers), and SESAC are the performance rights organizations (PROs) responsible for collecting and distributing royalties for the public performance of a musical work in the United States, as stipulated by the U.S. 2016 distribution: $931 million (fiscal year ended June 30). They are Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI); American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP); and Society of European Stage Authors and Composers. SESAC and GMR are for-profit and you must be accepted. However, once an artist is selected, there are no fees or dues that they have to pay in order to join. The above excerpt is from a real letter from ASCAP to a small business, and is not unusual. Etch-A-Sketch SESAC is a lesser known PRO, mostly because of its small and exclusive membership base. Although the PROs are quiet when it comes to their rate structure, they are vocal … Like clockwork. PRS vs ASCAP/BMI/SESAC for "dance" music, also PPL, etc. SESAC has about 30,000 affiliated songwriters, composers and music publishers. (And by expensive, we mean upwards of $150,000.) SoundExchange? must pay both ASCAP, BMI, SESAC public performance fees for musical works AND digital performance fees for sound recordings. The PROs are ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR and AllTrack and the MROs are MLC, HFA and MRI. ASCAP, BMI, SESAC GMR often use commissioned representatives to help them enforce their legal rights to obtain income from the performance of music in commercial establishments. ASCAP . But there are a few things that you need to know to make sure your business is using music in a legal way that avoids expensive fines. Author: Caleb J. Murphy. So ASCAP and BMI asked the Justice Department in 2014 to give them the flexibility to let music publishers withdraw their songs from some licensing … Gear Maniac . Membership is $50 for both songwriters and publishers. In the fall of 2014, the Louisiana Restaurant Association reports they had “fielded a number of calls from members who received bills from ASCAP for playing music.”. ASCAP royalty distributions are also displayed in nice graphs, data can be exported, and songs are listed by their performance and generated income. By accessing the Site and any of its pages, you agree to be bound by its Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Fines & Lawsuits for Streaming Without a License. SESAC gives a 3-year contract deal for both writers and publishers that automatically gets renewed. Another major difference is SESAC is not open to just anyone. Learn more Reply OPTIONS. When is it Legal at Events and Businesses? WHAT SEPARATES US AS A PRO. Next Last. ASCAP and BMI handle most performance rights royalties for underlying compositions. Copyright © 2021 Royalty Exchange All Rights Reserved. There are differences though. Overview: ASCAP, BMI, SESAC & GMR May 6, 2016 . What to PROs do? This means it is important to pay for access to all three of these major PROs. 1550 Larimer St. American PROs: ASCAP vs. BMI vs. SESAC ASCAP License . By collecting everything in one place, Cloud Cover Music is convenient for you, ensuring you are within copyright laws without stressing too much over these details. No credit card required. Big or small, performance royalty checks come in every quarter. At the end of the day, they all offer much the same service--ensuring their members are fairly compensated. We have assembled a list that will expand your knowledge on the pros for ASCAP Vs BMI Vs SESAC Vs … In part II we are going to examine the widely held belief that these performing rights organizations are “nonprofit” entities, and how this fallacy effects they way they both operate. Similarly, theaters, offices, and other businesses that want to play music need to pay licensing fees. But Buying Performance Licenses Could Be Nicer. In part I of our three part series “Why You Should Think Twice Before Joining ASCAP or BMI, or SESAC” we covered the basics of why you might be better off waiting to join one of the PRO’s. And then you have SESAC. Membership is free for songwriters. That is awesome. Sep 3, 2016 #1 Hi guys, I know this topic has been brought up a few times over the years and of course, I did a search through old threads before I decided to create this one. What you thought would be a simple subscription to one performing rights organization quickly escalates to three subscriptions. Tap icons to reveal benefit details. These PROs collect performance royalties for songwriters and publishers. Post by Tunecrew » Sat Sep 05, 2009 2:55 pm After years of DJing, about to start releasing some music as well and devoting a lot more time to the studio, have a few possible things coming up with some minor but known artists. Legal music, comprehensive library and affordable solutions for small to enterprise businesses. Get a SESAC License. SESAC is a bit of a different animal from BMI and ASCAP, and not just because they’re invitation-only. ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers), BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) and SESAC are US public performance organizations (PROs) who collect publishing royalties (performance royalties) for the PUBLIC PERFORMANCE of musical works as stipulated by the U.S. PROs help businesses like restaurants, theaters, retailers, and gyms access popular music to set a specific ambiance for their customers. These two nonprofits started as competitors and, in many ways, are still competing today. All Rights Reserved. 3rd December 2014 #1. protools123 ️. And then you have SESAC. They offer blanket music licenses to busi… If someone has a license with them and only them, you need to pay the PRO to use that song. Another significant difference between SESAC and the “Big Two” is that SESAC does not offer open membership, rather it requires an invitation or approval from a prospective member’s application. ASCAP vs BMI: What’s the Difference and What Can They Do for You? They license, collect and distribute public performance royalties for songwriters and publishers. Launched:1939 Membership Size:800,000 members Official site: BMI.com Socials: @BMI Location: USA About:BMI is one of the biggest and well known Performing Rights Organizations in the United States. I received an email this morning from a reader who had read my piece, “Demystifying The Music Industry: What’s This About Public Performance Rights?.” From $16.16/mo|14-day Free Trial. If you run a restaurant or retail location, you must pay specific licensing fees to play music in your store. Calculate ASCAP and BMI. But, members of SESAC have the option to receive monthly radio royalty payments as well. Sesac: what 's Hidden in the United States market these organizations ( ASCAP, BMI and SESAC to 500. And only them, you agree to be bound by its membership of composers, and music publishers legitimate that!, writers, and music publishers a successful business time, so does BMI, and are. 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