Performing Rights Organizations Explained
Published: Thu, 05/08/08
ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC are the three main performing rights organizations in the United States. Their primary function is to collect performance royalties from those who commercially use the music of their member writers and publishers. They distribute royalties to their members on a quarterly basis.
In the United States, performances of music on television generate performance royalites. Performances of music in movie theaters do not generate performance royalties.. In almost every other country, performances of music in movie theaters ARE covered by the local performing rights organization which has a reciprocal agreement with the U.S. performing rights organizations.
If a performance is logged (i.e. identified by ASCAP/BMI/SESAC as having been broadcast on television), a royalty will be generated based on the number of times the film or show is broadcast and a variety of other factors such as the length of the segment, how prominently the music is used and whether the songs is aired during "primetime" or daytime. There are very specific weighting formulas that are used to calculate the royalty payments for each performance of a song or composition.
The first step to licensing your music is to start submitting your music to people working in the industry. Over the last few years I've put together a very comprehensive directory of places to submit your music in the TV and Film Music Business. This directory is a priceless resource that will provide you with specific information on how to get your music to the right people and companies who can get your music placed. Check it out here. If you're already pretty business savvy and you have songs that you feel are high quality and ready to be pitched, all you'll need is the directory . It has over 125 listings and is updated regularly. When you buy the directory you get free updates for life. It's a great directory and I use it myself on a regular basis!
If you're really serious about getting started in the music licensing business, the most comprehensive program I have is called "The A-Z Of Music Licensing". This program comes with a hard copy of the directory, the how to CD, and several additional bonus discs about the music licensing business. The program is available by itself or with one on one coaching from me. I'll work with you to help you develop a specific game plan that is tailored to your own unique situation that you can implement immediately to achieve your goals.
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Until Next Time.... Happy Songwriting
Aaron Davison
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