FAQ: BMI Live

BMI Live is a new program designed for the BMI performing songwriter to log-in to their online account through BMI.com and submit their set lists for their performances in all venues across the country.

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.

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

• 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.
• 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 will occur quarterly beginning with the first distribution going out in June 2011, covering performances occurring 7/1/10-12/31/10 and entered in the BMI Live system by songwriters no later than 3/31/2011. Subsequent payments will follow a similar quarterly schedule. See the payment distribution schedule below.

Setlists can be entered online via BMI.com or the BMI Mobile app. All you need to do is log into your BMI account and click the BMI Live link. Only the performing songwriter can enter performance details in BMI Live. BMI publishers are eligible for payment under BMI Live but do not have access to the BMI Live application for data entry.

You are required to participate in direct deposit or the card and in paperless statements to get paid through BMI Live. You can sign up for both when you log in to your BMI.com account.

You must enter the performance day and time, setlist and venue information.

You can enter your performance information as often as you’d like. You will be able to enter dates for up to 2 quarters prior to the current quarter. You will be able to see the available entry dates as soon as you log in to BMI Live.

Rates per performance each quarter are determined by a combination of the number of performances reported during the payment period and the general licensing fees available for distribution for BMI Live performances. Since the number of BMI-licensed works, as well as the amount of the license fees collected by BMI, changes from quarter to quarter, the royalty rate for BMI Live works likewise will vary from quarter to quarter. For more information on BMI and royalties see "How We Pay Royalties".

Yes, this program recognizes publishers as well as songwriters and composers, however only performing songwriters may submit set lists.

Payments will appear on your royalty statement as BMI Live.

You can invite them from within the BMI Live program but only one member needs to log the performances for a band.

Yes. Only those band members who are also members of BMI will be paid through BMI Live.

Yes, you can edit all your performance information up until a certain date when it will then be submitted for processing.

If you've read all the FAQs in this section and still have questions, we have several resources to help. First you may wish to try: our BMI Live information page.

You may also send an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

At this time BMI Live can only be used for domestic performances. BMI writers performing outside of the US should download and complete the Foreign Live Performance Notification Form available on the Forms page.

Yes, you should include cover songs. However, only cover songs within the BMI Live database will be eligible for royalty payments under the BMI Live program. When entering a new performance, just click “Add cover song to your setlist” to select a cover song from the BMI Live database of cover songs.

Publishers cannot submit setlists on behalf of their songwriters. Only performing songwriters may submit setlists to BMI Live.