🎼 ASCAP, BMI & Performing Rights Organizations: What Every Songwriter Should Know

If you’re writing songs, recording music, or performing your work publicly, then you need to understand Performing Rights Organizations—better known as PROs. These essential music industry gatekeepers protect your rights and make sure you get paid when your music is used.

In the United States, the two most prominent PROs are ASCAP and BMI. Understanding what they do, how they differ, and how to register can be the difference between missing out on money—or collecting royalties every time your song hits a stage, stream, or screen.

This page breaks down the essentials of ASCAP, BMI, and performing rights—so you can protect your work and get paid what you deserve.

🔍 What Is a Performing Rights Organization (PRO)?

A Performing Rights Organization is an agency that tracks, collects, and distributes royalties whenever your music is performed publicly. This includes:
• Radio airplay (FM, AM, satellite)
• TV broadcasts (shows, commercials, sports, etc.)
• Live venue performances (bars, clubs, arenas)
• Streaming (Spotify, YouTube, Pandora)
• Background music in restaurants, malls, and businesses

PROs act as the bridge between songwriters/composers and music users—ensuring that creators receive fair compensation.

They license your songs to businesses and platforms, then track usage and issue payments. Without them, it would be nearly impossible to monitor or collect royalties globally.

🎵 ASCAP vs. BMI: What’s the Difference?

Both ASCAP and BMI are non-profit PROs with a long history of advocating for music creators. Here’s a side-by-side breakdown:

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Feature	ASCAP	BMI
Full Name	American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers	Broadcast Music, Inc.
Founded	1914	1939
Membership	Over 900,000 members	Over 1 million members
Royalty Payouts	Quarterly	Quarterly
Cost to Join	$50 one-time fee	Free for songwriters
Publisher Registration	$50	$150 (publ
Mobile App	Yes	Yes

ASCAP is member-run, meaning songwriters and publishers elect its board. BMI operates as a non-profit but is overseen by a board of executives. Both are reputable, reliable, and widely accepted in the industry.

🧠 Why You Need to Join a PRO

If your songs are performed anywhere in public—whether on the radio, in a bar, or streamed on a digital platform—you’re entitled to performance royalties. But you can’t collect them unless you’re affiliated with a PRO.

By joining ASCAP or BMI, you can:
• Protect your copyrights
• Get paid quarterly for public performances
• License your catalog to thousands of platforms and venues
• Submit setlists for live shows (to earn “live gig royalties”)
• Track global plays through reciprocal agreements with international PROs

Even if you’re unsigned, indie, or just starting out, joining a PRO is a no-brainer. Royalties may be small at first—but they add up fast, especially as your songs spread.

📝 How to Register with ASCAP or BMI

The process is simple and can be done entirely online:

For ASCAP:
1. Visit www.ascap.com
2. Create an account
3. Pay the one-time $50 fee (songwriter or composer)
4. Optionally register as a publisher ($50 additional)
5. Start registering your songs

For BMI:
1. Visit www.bmi.com
2. Create a free songwriter account
3. Pay $150 if registering a publishing company
4. Submit songs via your online dashboard

Once registered, you’ll receive an account to track earnings, register works, and monitor performances worldwide.

🌍 Global Royalties & International PROs

ASCAP and BMI have reciprocal agreements with over 100 international PROs, including:
• PRS (UK)
• SOCAN (Canada)
• GEMA (Germany)
• APRA (Australia)

So if your music is played overseas, you’ll still get paid—though international royalties often take longer to reach you (up to 6–9 months).

📢 Final Thoughts: You Wrote It—Now Own It

Writing songs isn’t just creative work—it’s intellectual property. And that property earns money whenever it’s performed. But if you’re not registered with a PRO like ASCAP or BMI, that money disappears into the system.

Don’t leave royalties on the table.
If you’re serious about songwriting, make joining a PRO one of your first professional steps. It’s fast, inexpensive, and essential.

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🎼 ASCAP, BMI & Performing Rights Organizations: What Every Songwriter Should Know