This article discusses Do I Have To Pay Ascap Bmi And Sesac, hopefully providing additional knowledge for you.

**Do I Have to Pay ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC?**

As a music creator, you may have heard of performance rights organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. These organizations collect and distribute royalties to songwriters, composers, and music publishers when their music is performed publicly. But are you legally obligated to pay them?

The answer depends on where and how your music is used. In the United States, PROs are not government agencies. They are private companies that license the public performance rights of their members’ music. This means that you are not required by law to join a PRO or pay them royalties.

**When Are Royalties Required?**

However, there are certain situations where you may be legally required to pay royalties to a PRO, even if you are not a member. This includes:

• Venues that host live music: Most venues that host live music, such as bars, nightclubs, and concert halls, have blanket licenses with one or more PROs. This means that they have already paid a fee to the PRO to cover the public performance of any music in their members’ catalogs.
• Streaming services: Streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music have blanket licenses with PROs. This means that they have already paid a fee to the PROs to cover the public performance of any music in their members’ catalogs. However, if you are a songwriter or composer and your music is not in a PRO’s catalog, you will not receive any royalties from these services.

**Benefits of Joining a PRO**

While you may not be legally obligated to join a PRO, there are several benefits to doing so. PROs can help you:

• Collect royalties: PROs collect royalties from a wide range of sources, including live performances, streaming services, and radio airplay. By joining a PRO, you can ensure that you are receiving all of the royalties that you are entitled to.
• Protect your rights: PROs monitor the use of their members’ music and enforce their copyrights. This can help to protect your music from unauthorized use.
• Promote your music: PROs can help you to promote your music by providing you with access to resources and opportunities.

**Which PRO Should I Join?**

If you decide to join a PRO, you will need to choose which one is right for you. The three major PROs in the United States are ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. Each PRO has its own strengths and weaknesses, so you will need to do some research to decide which one is best for you.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to join a PRO is a personal one. If you think that you will earn enough royalties to make it worth the cost of membership, then joining a PRO may be a good option for you.

**Tips for Songwriters and Composers**

If you are a songwriter or composer, here are a few tips to help you navigate the world of performance rights:

• Learn about PROs: Take some time to learn about PROs and how they work. This will help you to make an informed decision about whether or not to join one.
• Register your music: Make sure to register your music with a PRO or the U.S. Copyright Office. This will help to protect your copyrights and ensure that you receive royalties for your work.
• Track your performances: Keep track of where and when your music is performed. This will help you to calculate how much you are owed in royalties.
• Consider hiring a copyright lawyer: If you are serious about protecting your rights, consider hiring a copyright lawyer. A lawyer can help you to draft contracts, negotiate with PROs, and enforce your copyrights.

**Conclusion**

The decision of whether or not to pay ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC is a personal one. There are pros and cons to joining a PRO, so you will need to weigh the costs and benefits to see if it is right for you. If you are a serious songwriter or composer, it is important to educate yourself about PROs and how they can help you to protect your rights and earn royalties for your work.

**Are you interested in learning more about performance rights for musicians?**

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s start a conversation!

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