BMI
BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) is a U.S. performing rights organization (PRO) that licenses and collects Performance Royalties for its songwriter, composer, and music publisher members.
Established in 1939, BMI is another major PRO in the United States, alongside ASCAP and SESAC. Like ASCAP, BMI's core mission is to protect the public performance rights of its members' musical compositions. It monitors public performances of music across various platforms—including radio, television, digital streaming services, and live venues—and collects Performance Royalties from businesses that use music. These royalties are then distributed to BMI's affiliated songwriters, composers, and music publishers. BMI operates on a non-profit basis, returning the vast majority of its licensing fees to its members.
BMI offers Blanket Licenses to music users, providing them with legal access to its extensive catalog of musical works. This system is vital for the functioning of the music industry, ensuring that creators are fairly compensated for the public use of their intellectual property. For songwriters and publishers, choosing a PRO to affiliate with is a key decision that impacts how their Performance Royalties are collected and administered. Both ASCAP and BMI represent a significant portion of the world's musical repertoire.
A restaurant that plays background music from a streaming service would typically need a Blanket License from BMI (or ASCAP/SESAC) to legally play songs written by BMI-affiliated songwriters. BMI then ensures those songwriters receive their due Performance Royalties.
melabel empowers artists to manage their careers. Understanding the function of PROs like BMI is essential for collecting Performance Royalties. melabel’s Music Analytics can provide insights into your music's public performance, aiding in the proper registration and collection of your earnings from organizations like BMI.