Creators FAQ

Celebrating over 80 years of service to songwriters, composers, music publishers and businesses, BMI is a global leader in music rights management, serving as an advocate for the value of music. BMI represents the public performance rights in over 25 million musical works created and owned by more than 1.5 million songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The Company negotiates music license agreements and distributes the fees it generates as royalties to its affiliated writers and publishers when their songs are performed in public. In 1939, BMI created a groundbreaking open-door policy becoming the only performing rights organization to welcome and represent the creators of blues, jazz, country, and American roots music. Today, the musical compositions in BMI’s repertoire, from chart toppers to perennial favorites, span all genres of music and are consistently among the most-performed hits of the year.

To learn more about BMI and how to become a BMI affiliate, consider attending one of our upcoming BMI 101 workshops.

Call us at (844) BMI-4255 or visit our Contact Us page for additional information.

No. BMI only represents its members in their role as songwriters, composers and publishers of songs and scores. Getting a record deal is not within the scope of our business.

No, that is not within the scope of our business.

For career advice, attend a BMI-sponsored workshop, or contact your local songwriters association, like the Nashville Songwriters Association, or NSAI, in Nashville.

BMI conducts music showcases nationwide and offers a variety of professional development seminars, but we cannot get your songs placed on the radio. Publishers, labels, managers and other outside executives may help you find new outlets for your work, but as a performing right organization, BMI’s focus is fair payment and copyright protection for our songwriters, composers and music publishers.

For career advice on how you can be heard, attend a BMI-sponsored workshop or contact your local songwriters association, like the Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI) in Nashville.

The BMI Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1985, is dedicated to encouraging the creation, performance and study of music through awards, scholarships, internships, grants, and commissions.

Learn more at bmifoundation.org.

BMI is committed to protecting copyright to ensure fair compensation for songwriters, composers, and publishers for the use of their work, while offering hundreds of thousands of licensees access to a vast catalog of the world’s most popular music. Beyond rights management, BMI actively fosters new talent through performance, educational, and promotional opportunities designed to advance creators’ careers.

BMI Spark
Spark is an exciting program designed to help our music creators thrive in their careers. It features exclusive offers and special discounts on music creation tools, valuable career insights, educational content and health and wellness resources, all tailored to ignite the creative development, lifestyles and well-being of BMI’s affiliates. Visit Spark to learn more.

Festivals and Stages
As the only PRO with dedicated stages at major events like Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, and Key West Songwriters Festival, BMI provides premier performance slots to help affiliates reach new fans, connect with industry insiders, and gain critical career exposure. View the BMI Opportunities page to learn more.

Showcases
BMI hosts signature showcases such as Rooftop on the Row, Acoustic Lounge, and Sunset Sessions to give emerging and established talent exclusive performance platforms. View the BMI Opportunities page to learn more.

Workshops
BMI provides hands-on career development, networking, and mentorship through programs such as the Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop and Jazz Composers Workshop, as well as the introductory BMI 101 session. View the BMI Opportunities page to learn more.

Panels
BMI organizes educational panel discussions and insider conversations, such as How I Wrote That Song®, throughout the year and at industry events like Comic-Con, LAMC, and SXSW, delivering informative career advice and expert insights.

BMI Live is an Online Services application that allows performing songwriters to submit their live performance information and receive royalty payments. There is an extensive guide in Online Services under the HELP section once logged in to BMI Live. You can find information about eligible venues, eligible performances, submission guidelines, and more. Please note you must be enrolled in Direct Deposit to participate in the BMI Live program.

To be eligible for royalty payments under the BMI Live program, a performance must be considered a “public performance” that is covered by existing BMI licenses. A complete list is available online if you do want to listen to the entire list on the phone.

Non-eligible performances which will not be considered for royalty payment include, but are not limited to:

• Digital Livestreams
• Wedding receptions, Birthday parties, Anniversary parties, etc.
• Internet performances.
• Performances during Religious services.
  Note: Performances at church events that are outside of “normal church service times” are eligible for royalty payments.
• Face-to-face teaching activities at educational institutions.
• Most Cruise Ship Performances.
• Performances to students in elementary schools.
• State or County fairs.
• Private house concerts.
• Performances not authorized by city permit in parks or public areas. (This includes street performances).
• Live Classical music performances.
  Note: Classical music performances are included in a separate royalty distribution.
• Performances of public domain music (including the National Anthem at events.)
• Live radio or TV performances.
  Note: Live radio or TV performances are included in a separate royalty distribution.
• Amusement Park performances at Disney Parks, Universal Parks & Dollywood Themepark.
  Note: These Amusement Parks performances are included in a separate royalty distribution.

BMI Live distributions occur quarterly. See the payment distribution schedule.