ASCAP vs BMI?

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aPAULo Beatz

aPAULo Beatz

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Hey, so I've produced a track for one of my artists that is fixing to get radio play up in Atlanta. The artist I collaborated with hit me up and told me I need to register with a site like ASCAP or BMI to receive royalties everytime the track is played. Can someone explain to me how this works and the difference between the two organizations?

I'm really new to this, so plain and simple explanations would def be appreciated!

Thanks FP Fam!
 
if you can get a entertainment lawyer .. most will sit down with you and hear what going on and then you a overview put for detailed legal advice you'll have to pay...

you need entertainment lawyer on your team. I'm sure there's alot in altanta....
 
Hmm alright..I was hoping someone on this site with some experience could at least give me some basic pointers.

And btw, I'm actually posted in Houston. But the artist I work with is up in ATL
 
well houston a big enough city where you should be able to find a entertainment lawyer but the other thing you can do it go to the sites of the BMI and the other one.. they will lay it out for you what you need to do to join and get your publishing etc...
 
yeah that's true.

have you or anyone else had experience with either of them?
 
Thanks for the info man. Seems like ASCAP is the way to go..I really appreciate it..

if anyone else wants to throw their 2 cents in, feel free
 
ascap for sure.

and i am pretty sure that if it is a hit on the radio ascap will seek you out and make sure you register with them.
 
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It seems this is a subject of controverse...
do you have an idea which one could be the easiest to deal with for an "alien resident", as they call me ? (France)
 
alright i think i've pretty much settled on ASCAP..but I have one quick question.

On the registration, there's an "Optional: Publisher Digital Home Recording (DART) Royalties Election" where I can elect ASCAP to represent me in home recording rights or something like that. I have on clue what it is/means. Anyone give me the run-down?
 
I honestly wouold recommend ASCAP for your situation. They go by the "you get a hit, you get a split" mehtod of dividing money up to their members, whereas BMI gives their time-honored members more money.
 
ASCAP and BMI are nonprofits. (I believe, 90% sure) A

ASCAP is ran by fellow songwriters.

BMI is ran by broadcaster.

They both collect money from broadcasters (and others). I consider BMI a conflict of interest because they monitor and then collect money from themselves. But because of that you will get your money quicker, but it will (not always) be less.

SESAC is a for profit business, they will make a profit off of your money, but they will work harder to get you more (they get a cut).
SESAC is an invite only boutique PRO. You will get more attention and help with them than ASCAP or BMI.



In my opinion,
BMI - HELL NO! I would rather try to collect by myself

ASCAP - maybe, but I rather not be just a number and swept in the cracks.

SESAC - YES!! They are on their stuff.
 
I've been with BMI since 2001 and have no complaints.
When you say the artists song is going to get played on the radio in Atlanta, what does that mean? Are you talking about a battle of the beats segment? In that case don't expect royalties from that. Atlanta radio is very narrow minded. If it's being played on the radio in regular rotation here then it's being played in other markets as well. Who is the artist?
 
Thanks for all the help and advice.

Not entirely sure Logistical. I'd have to check for more details. I can get back to you if you want
 
Try to contact someone at each of the 3 PROs...
Try to get someone there who believe in your success basically and is therefore ready to work hard for you.. for example evn if it means getting you in contact with a publisher dependign on what you want to do next etc.
Your choice should be based on that...

Don't choose for example Sesac (or rather they would have to choose you anyway) because of their "pickiness". With a very good relation at any of the PRO, you can get the work done.

[edit] Though, SESAC offer a range of services that is highly valuable
 
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To help anyone who may still have questions regarding this topic, I received this information from a fellow FP'er (shoutout to Pow Bob)


"They passed a law back in the day, (The Audio Home Recording Act), when digital music came on the scene in the form of CD's and MP3's. The music industry was going to sue companies like Sony, because they were manufacturing items that consumers could use to reproduce the same high quality music for free at home, causing the music industry to collapse. Instead, the law provides that these manufacturing companies all have to pay royalties to ASCAP or whoever, so that some of this money could be recovered.

So, it would certainly seem to be a no-brainer. Of course you want ASCAP to represent you for these royalties, just like the reason we're joining in the first place, to collect royalties. I just don't understand now, why one would choose No for that option. So, I just called ASCAP. I asked them who would answer NO on that option, and she said only people who don't understand it, or people who have another agency/entity that is doing it already. So, for a rookie beginner, by all means, answer YES to this option, or there is a period during the year I believe when you can sign up for it, if you elected not to and got ASCAP membership. You can post this stuff to your thread from years ago if you want, I think it's pretty accurate."


Hope this helps someone else out.
 
You can use both at the same time

Sign your self up with one and sign your company up as a publisher under the other and then contract yourself to do work for your company

I've been doing it this way for 4 years its 100% legal
 
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