FAQ: My Music

Yes! Joining BMI online as a songwriter is simple. To join now, follow these instructions.

One half is designated for the songwriter(s), and the other half is designated for the publisher(s) or copyright holder(s). Learn more about how BMI pays royalties. If you do not have a publisher, you will also receive the publisher’s share as a writer.

BMI conducts music showcases nationwide and offers a variety of professional development seminars, but we cannot get your songs placed on the radio. Publishers, labels, managers and other outside executives may help you find new outlets for your work, but as a performing right organization, BMI's focus is fair payment and copyright protection for our songwriters, composers and music publishers.

For career advice on how you can be heard, attend a BMI-sponsored workshop or contact your local songwriters association, like the Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI) in Nashville.

No. BMI only represents its members in their role as songwriters, composers and publishers of songs and scores. Getting a record deal is not within the scope of our business.

No, that's part of BMI's function. If your songs are registered with BMI and you are receiving radio play, then BMI will get that information.

For detailed information on our payment methodology, visit our Royalty Information section.

No, that is not within the scope of our business.

For career advice, attend a BMI-sponsored workshop, or contact your local songwriters association, like the Nashville Songwriters Association, or NSAI, in Nashville.

First of all, congratulations! Now, you need to make sure your work is registered. As soon as a song is published and/or recorded, it should be registered with and reported to BMI. BMI's ability to license and monitor the performances of a composition is dependent upon the accuracy and timeliness of this reported information. Without it, you may miss out on royalties.

Typically, a publisher will register songs for songwriters. Early registration of works will help prevent lost royalties, so make sure your songs are registered.

No. BMI relies on the information you provide when you register your work and does not need an actual copy of your song.

Song registration is simple and can be done online with our online song registration program.

Registering your songs with BMI is absolutely free. Early registration of works is important — if you don't register your works you won't get paid when they're played.

For detailed information on our payment methodology, visit our Royalty Information section.

The most efficient way to register your song with BMI is through your online account. Songs (or works) registered online are available in BMI's Repertoire Catalog almost immediately.

(You may also use the downloadable work registration form.)

In order to make changes to a work that you've already registered, please review our Instructions for Updating Registered Works page.

Your composition is copyrighted automatically when the work is "created," which the law defines as being "fixed" in a copy or a recording for the first time. The registration of your copyright is recommended, but not required. BMI does not copyright works for you.

If you wish to copyright your works, which we recommend, visit copyright.gov.

The most efficient way to register your song (or work) with BMI is through your online account. Songs registered online are available in BMI's Repertoire Catalog almost immediately.

(You may also use the downloadable work registration form.)

Although your song is technically copyrighted as soon as you finish writing it, it’s still a good idea to register that copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office. Registering a song with BMI will only allow you to receive performance royalties if that song gets performed; it does not give you protection under copyright law.

Online Work Registrations typically take between 1-7 business days to be processed. It can take longer based on the level of research that is required at the time of registration.