They are the only performing rights organizations in the US; there are many more worldwide.
It benefits everyone to have as few performing rights organizations as is reasonably possible. Songwriters benefit by having a large collective bargaining position, and licensees benefit by being able to select from hundreds of thousands of tunes under one blanket license. If there were more PROs--say, if each publisher handled their own performing rights--broadcasters and performance venues would need to make agreements with each one individually. The paperwork and fees would be unbearable.
The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), and the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (SESAC) are performing rights organizations based in the United States. They collect fees for affiliated composers and songwriters when their works are performed (including broadcast).
You would need to go directly to each organization for a license. Application can typically be made online at the links below.
Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) is one of three United States performing rightsorganizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC.
They protect the rights of composers and songwriters.
Registering as a writer or publisher with any music/performers rights organization is free. ASCAP and BMI are basically open to anyone, SESAC has a 'selective' process.
Yes, you typically need a performing rights license to play television content in a cafe. This is because the music and other audio-visual content broadcasted on TV are often protected by copyright, and public performances require permission from the rights holders. Licensing organizations, such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC in the U.S., can provide the necessary permissions. It’s advisable to check the specific regulations and requirements in your region.
Ascap, bmi, sesac
BMI. They represent just a few % more of the total music market than ASCAP. SESAC only has about 2-3%
ASCAP stands for the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, BMI stands for Broadcast Music, Inc., and SESAC stands for the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers. All three organizations are performance rights organizations (PROs) that represent songwriters, composers, and music publishers. Their shared purpose is to collect royalties on behalf of their members when their music is performed publicly, ensuring that creators are compensated for their work. Additionally, they advocate for the rights of music creators and help promote their interests in the music industry.
A DJ typically needs a public performance license to legally play copyrighted music at events. This license is usually obtained through performing rights organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC, which manage the rights of songwriters and publishers. Additionally, depending on the venue and location, a DJ may also require a specific license or permit from local authorities for events. It's important for DJs to ensure they have the appropriate licenses to avoid copyright infringement issues.
Yes. You would need a new media public performance license from the performing rights organizations (ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC). In addition, the Harry Fox Agency is attempting to collect mechanical royalties on streaming music, arguing that the ephemeral cache constitutes a copy. This is unpopular to say the least, and certainly still being discussed, but the Copyright Review Board did rule in their favor.
You would need a performance license; in the US this is easily obtained from ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.