Written by: Abby Johnson
Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) reside in the sector of the music business dedicated to helping songwriters. Performance Rights Organizations are focused on ensuring that songwriters receive all revenue due to them when one of their songs is performed publicly. While most countries have one Performance Rights Organization, I will be focusing on the three main organizations within the United States: the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), and Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (SESAC).
Performance Rights Organizations issue licenses to people and businesses who publicly perform a songwriter’s copyrighted song. Public performance in this context includes play on television, radio, in clubs, restaurants, bars, on websites, or in-person performances at venues. PROs have a way to track these public performance uses in order to collect revenue where it’s due. PROs issue licenses to these companies so they can collect royalties on behalf of their songwriters. They also distribute royalty payments directly to their songwriters.
You should be registered with a Performance Rights Organization regardless of what stage you’re at in your music career. Not only are there perks included with each PRO upon registration, but these organizations track the national use of your song(s). This tracking can help you with marketing plans, release strategies, and routing tours regardless if you’re emerging on the songwriting scene or if you’re well-established. These organizations also host conferences, award shows, and exhibitions that offer incredible networking and collaboration opportunities you will not want to pass up.
So, how do you know which organization is right for you? My best advice is to do your due diligence and research each organization thoroughly before making a final decision. However, I’ve provided a brief overview of each for your convenience.
Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI)
Largest Performance Rights Organization in the United States.
Songwriters can register for free, individual publishers can register for $150 fee, and publishing companies can register for a $250 fee.
Perks
Songwriting camps and workshops.
Membership discount with BMI affiliates.
Discount for the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Discounts for various songwriting apps and services.
Discounts to Billboard Latin Conference, Billboard Touring Conference, and Video Gamers Live.
American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP)
Second largest Performance Rights Organization in the United States.
Not free to register. You must pay a $50 registration fee for songwriters and publishers alike.
Perks
Discounted membership to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Membership to MusicPro Program which provides discounts on insurance; health, vision, dental, life, and instrument insurance.
Discounted ASCAP Webtools, which is a series of marketing apps.
Discounts on hotels and rental cars.
Membership in United States Federal Credit Union.
Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (SESAC)
This is a much smaller organization than the previous two because songwriters and publishers can only join by invitation.
Perks
Direct deposits on royalty payments.
10% discount on Sprint products.
15% discount on your first year of Songtrust.
3 months free membership to Musician’s Atlas.
Airport parking discounts.
10% off at Berkleemusic.com
33% discount on American Songwriter Magazine.
Discounts at Avis Rental Car.
MusicPro Insurance discount.
Regardless if you’re a new songwriter looking to take your career to the next level, or if you’re an established writer on the scene, registering with a Performance Rights Organization will only benefit you. But remember, your songs must be registered for Copyright protection. This can be done at the website of the United States Copyright Office.
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