What do ASCAP, BMI and SESAC do for you?

 If you can’t answer this question, keep on reading.

First off what are ASCAP, BMI and SESAC?  They are performance rights societies.  Performance rights associations collect royalties for you when your song is performed publicly, in bars and restaurants, on radio and TV, on the internet and in concert. 

 Under U.S. Copyright Law, songwriters and music publishers have the right to allow people and business to perform their songs publicly.  This means anytime there is a public performance of your copyrighted musical work, in theory you’re owed a royalty. As you can imagine this is pretty hard to monitor.  So the societies use a sampling method to estimate the number of times your song is performed and a royalty is paid to you accordingly.  They will do the accounting and send you off a check.

 Each performance rights association monitors public performances differently.  This means they will come up with different ways to split the royalties they collect among its members.  This is something to keep in mind when choosing between the three societies.  Do your research.

 Another purpose of the performing rights societies is to make it easier for creators of music to grant permission to users of music.

 Choosing a performance rights society that fits your needs is very important.  Do some homework.  Speak to songwriters that you know.  Ask them which society they belong to.  Are they happy with their association?  I interviewed several songwriters’ from all three societies.  Most were happy but some were unhappy with the amount and timing of their royalty’s checks.  Go to each of the society’s websites (see links below).  Browse the website thoroughly. Keep asking your self what are they offering me.   Do they offer added value benefits, such as health insurance, workshops and networking opportunities?  

 Next, give the society a call and talk to a reprehensive.  Ask them as many questions as possible.  Find out the cost to join, if the society is selective or is it open to everyone. 

 Gather up all the data you can about the association, review it and then make an informed decision.

 If you haven’t copyrighted your musical works yet.  Think about doing so.  This is the first step to take before joining a society.

 Once you’ve joined a society watch as the checks starting rolling in.

Good Luck!

 Resources:

ASCAP – Los Angeles
7920 W. Sunset Boulevard, Thrid Floor
Los Angeles, Ca 90064
T: 323.883.1000
www.ascap.com
Marilyn Bergman
President

BMI – Los Angeles
8730 W. Sunset Boulevard, #3
Los Angeles, Ca 90069
T: 310.659.9109
www.bmi.com
Del Bryant
President

SESAC – Los Angeles
501 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 450
Santa Monica, Ca 90401
310.393.9671
www.sesac.com

 

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