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Advocacy

BMI Government Affairs & Public Policy

BMI’s primary goal is to ensure that our writers, composers and publishers are properly compensated for the public use of their music. This objective requires a multifaceted approach that involves educating about public policy and partnerships.








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BMI Wins Massive Victory for Songwriters, Composers & Publishers for Live Concert Rates

In a decision that ends decades of below-market rates for songwriters,

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An Important Company Update from Mike O’Neill

Today, BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill announced exciting and

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Songs for Change: BMI Songwriters Call For Action

With the movement for racial justice and equality sweeping the country,

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A Resource Guide to Help Take Action, Create Change, and Support Emotional and Mental Health

BMI’s open-door policy means more than just supporting different

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President Biden Signs $1.9 Trillion Pandemic Relief Package: What it Means for Music Creators

Today, President Biden signed the sweeping $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relie

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What Is BMI?

BMI is the bridge that brings music to business and compensates the creators of that music.

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BMI’s Original Submission to DOJ

BMI’s public comments to U.S. Department of Justice request in review of consent decrees.

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Congressional Testimony on Music Licensing


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BMI President and CEO Addresses Congress on the Need for Change

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“When BMI sent me my first royalty check it was for $4.69 … it meant everything. It meant I was a professional songwriter.” “In today’s music industry environment … the one thing keeping songwriters afloat is that performance royalty check.” “Aspects of the BMI consent decree have devalued the musical composition to the point where songwriters are being crushed.” “A legal framework that allows songs to be streamed for free will destroy the livelihood of the American songwriter if allowed to continue.” “My wife of 23 years says … ‘The only days I circle on my calendar every year are the four days your BMI check is coming.’”

Lee Thomas Miller
BMI Songwriter and Legislative Co-Chair of the Nashville Songwriter’s Association International

BMI’s Advocacy Activities

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Education

Foremost, BMI strives to educate the public about the need for copyright protection so that the creative ecosystem between art and commerce can continue. In doing this, BMI takes an active role in the public policy conversation on the development of intellectual property rights in the digital age, and partners with leading academic institutions by sending BMI experts as speakers on leading industry panels and seminars.

As a company serving music users ranging from the corner bar or restaurant to the largest of broadcast and digital media entities, BMI’s business activities touch on a number of issues of great interest to federal and state legislators. BMI works closely with members of Congress as they oversee copyright law and draft future legislation that will affect our affiliates. BMI also actively participates in international forums that seek to redefine global rights management mechanisms for the digital age.

Partnerships

BMI is a Client RME of CISAC, the leading worldwide network of authors’ societies, to promote the interests of creators and provide the highest business standards that will protect their rights globally.

BMI is also a proud member of the Copyright Alliance and joined the call to increase support for the protection of intellectual property.

In collaboration with ASCAP and SOCAN, BMI has created MusicMark. With MusicMark publishers are able to submit a single registration file simultaneously to all three performing rights organizations (PROs), even if the work was co-written by members of different societies.

Public Policy

BMI carefully monitors legislative activity to serve as a voice for our songwriters, composers, and music publishers, wherever their interests may be implicated, to preserve the value of music.

Take Action

Learn about the BMI PAC, a political action committee (PAC) that is a separate entity from Broadcast Music, Inc., which aims to support the modernization of U.S. copyright laws to reflect the many ways music can be experienced in the marketplace and ensure its creators’ compensation is protected for years to come.