PERFORMING RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS CAMPUS

Part 1 Music Publishing Exam 3(?)

Performing Rights Organizations

Organizations that license, collect fees, and distribute royalties for the performance right of copyrighted music.

License

Permission granted by the copyright owner to users who perform music, requiring them to compensate the copyright owner.

Users

Terrestrial radio, TV, digital streaming/webcasting, non-surveyed venues, and foreign cinemas that need a performing rights license from the copyright owner.

ASCAP/BMI/SESAC

Three main performing rights organizations for song copyrights.

ASCAP/BMI/SESAC's Purpose

To license copyrights, collect license fees, distribute royalties, and serve as a liaison for songwriters and publishers.

Competitive Signing

The process of signing songwriters by performing rights organizations, often leading to increased visibility for the songwriters.

Affiliation

Songwriters can only affiliate with one performing rights organization (ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC) and will be paid performance royalties for the songs they've written during their agreement.

Affiliation for Music Publishers

Music publishers must affiliate with all performing rights organizations (ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC) to be paid the publisher's share of performance royalties.

Catalog

The listing/cataloging of songs in a publisher's catalog based on the songwriter's performing rights organization affiliation.

Copyright Registration

The process of registering songs with the copyright office and performing rights organizations.

Repertoire

The collection of songs entered by performing rights organizations, not to be confused with a catalog.

Agreement Term

The term of the songwriter/performing rights organization agreement, typically for 2 years and automatically renews unless the songwriter notifies the organization of resignation.

Copyright Info

Information to be placed at the bottom of a lyric page, including the copyright symbol, date, name, publishing company, and performing rights organization.

ASCAP

American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, a performing rights organization with a board of 12 songwriters and 12 publishers.

BMI

Broadcast Music Inc., the largest performing rights organization, initially created as a not-for-profit organization but rumored to be sold.

SESAC

Society of European Stage Authors and Composers, a for-profit performing rights organization that gained visibility and credibility through the signing of Bob Dylan and Neil Diamond.

SoundExchange

A non-profit performing rights organization that collects and distributes digital royalties for artists and labels.

Global Music Rights

A performing rights organization that collects artist and song royalties for select artists.

Licensing

The process of issuing blanket licenses to copyright users, granting legal permission to play all songs in the performing rights organization's repertoire.

Blanket License

A license that allows users (such as terrestrial radio, TV, digital streaming, non-surveyed venues, and foreign cinemas) to play all songs in the performing rights organization's repertoire.

Collection

The process of collecting blanket license fees from users, based on a percentage of the user's gross income.

Distribution

The distribution of the royalty pool to songwriters and publishers based on factors such as time of day and type of performance.

Featured Performance

When music is the only focus on a TV episode or songs played on terrestrial radio are always considered a featured performance.

Theme Song

A song specifically created for a TV show or movie to represent its overall theme or mood.

TV Background Performance

Music played in the background during a TV show or episode.

Length of the Performance

The duration of a musical performance, typically measured in minutes and seconds.

Surveys

Methods used to collect data and gather information.

Census Survey

A survey used for TV shows where cue sheets need to be submitted to the professionals.

Sample Survey

A survey used for radio where a sample is taken to determine how many times a song has been played in one market, then applied to comparable size radio markets.

Parameters of Performance Earnings

The specific criteria or conditions that determine the earnings for a performance.

Pop Market

The market for popular music, where a top 5 radio hit can earn between $1 million and $1.5 million.

Country Market

The market for country music, where a top 5 radio hit can earn between $750,000 and $1.2 million.

Americana Market

The market for Americana music, where being in the top 5 on the Americana chart can earn between $20,000 and $30,000.

Contemporary Christian/Gospel Market

The market for contemporary Christian and gospel music, where being in the top 5 on the CCM chart can earn between $5,000 and $12,500.