Common questions

Do ASCAP and BMI have the same writer and publisher terms?

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Do ASCAP and BMI have the same writer and publisher terms?

Both ASCAP and BMI: Have a 50/50 split between Publisher and Songwriter (if you’re a DIY musician, you’re probably both) Pay 88\% of their collections to their members. Pay you for playing your own songs live.

Does BMI copyright your name?

Your composition is copyrighted automatically when the work is “created,” which the law defines as being “fixed” in a copy or a recording for the first time. BMI does not copyright works for you. If you wish to copyright your works, which we recommend, visit copyright.gov.

How does BMI know when your song is played?

BMI uses a mix of station reporting and digital monitoring. They require every station to whom they issue a license to keep a log of the songs they play for a set period each year. BMI combines that data with digital monitoring of radio plays to come up with an idea of whose songs are in heavy rotation.

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Does BMI own my music?

No. BMI relies on the information you provide when you register your work and does not need an actual copy of your song. Song registration is simple and can be done online with our online song registration program.

Can a publishing company be an LLC?

Most authors will decide to start their own publishing companies as an LLC or sole proprietorship, as these are the most flexible and simple business forms of the bunch. As mentioned before, LLCs offer the most liability protection, meaning your personal assets are protected from any debts incurred by the business.

How do you copyright a song on Ascap?

ASCAP does not register music for the purpose of copyright protection; this is the responsibility of the writer(s) and publisher(s) of any given work. You can register your music for copyright protection through the Library of Congress which can be reached at 202-707-3000 or on the web at www.loc.gov.

How does BMI split royalties between songwriters and publishers?

« Back to FAQs How does BMI split royalties between songwriters and publishers? One half is designated for the songwriter(s), and the other half is designated for the publisher(s) or copyright holder(s). If you do not have a publisher, you will also receive the publisher’s share as a writer.

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How do publishers track royalties?

Each publisher claims a percentage for each composition according to a split sheet and/or contractual agreement between songwriters and publishers. It is how both collection societies and mechanical rights organizations determine the amount of royalties to allocate to each songwriter and their publisher.

Who owns the publishing rights to a song?

In short, music publishing is really all about songwriters and copyrights. When music is used commercially (whether sold, licensed, or publicly performed), the songwriter and copyright owner is owed royalties. A music publishing company can offer multiple services for songwriters.

Can you join both BMI and ASCAP?

You can use the same business entity (e.g. LLC) when registering as a publisher with ASCAP and BMI, but your affiliation name should be slightly different with each society.

Are BMI and ASCAP publishers or performers?

ASCAP and BMI are Performing Rights Organizations, not publisher It’s first important to know that ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, SOCAN, and other associations that collect performance royalties on behalf of songwriters and publishers are called “Performing Rights Organizations,” or P.R.O.s. They are not your publisher, and do no act as you publisher.

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Do you need ASCAP or BMI to get your songwriter royalties?

The first thing that most young songwriters in the US hear is “you need to sign up for ASCAP or BMI to make sure you get your songwriter royalties.” I have to hand it to ASCAP and BMI’s PR departments. They do a great job of making themselves known.

What is an ASCAP performing rights organization?

It’s first important to know that ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, SOCAN, and other associations that collect performance royalties on behalf of songwriters and publishers are called “Performing Rights Organizations,” or P.R.O.s. They are not your publisher, and do no act as you publisher.

What is the ASCAP writer board doing about songwriting splits?

At the 2018 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO, ASCAP Writer Board members Desmond Child, Alex Shapiro and Michelle Lewis, along with songwriter and artist Deputy, presented a panel on songwriting splits and why it is so important that co-writers prioritize the exchange of accurate writer and publisher information at the point of creation.