June 2007
Dear Songwriter, Composer and Publisher:
I am pleased to report that BMI and the Radio Music License Committee (RMLC) have agreed to a three-year term extension to the previous ten-year performing right agreement for commercial radio stations, retroactive to January 1, 2007. Fees for the period 2007 – 2009 will continue to be calculated on the basis of the formula developed under the prior ten-year agreement. The extension includes provisions for per program music licensing, and also for high definition simulcasting and multicasting, and streaming over-the-air signals on stations’ Internet websites. BMI also recently implemented new agreements with the National Football League and National Hockey League, and rolled out new agreements for fitness clubs, museums, zoos and healthcare facilities.
As BMI’s current fiscal year draws to a close, we have reason to believe that we will post the highest performing right revenues ever recorded by a copyright organization. This achievement is due in no small part to you, our songwriters, composers and publishers, who continue to create the world’s most popular music.
The recent CISAC-sponsored copyright summit in Brussels, Belgium, attended by more than 500 representatives from over 250 organizations around the world, spotlighted the impact of the digital era on copyright and the music industry. During the conference, there was a special focus on pending policy decisions by both the European Commission and European Parliament regarding the methods by which digital music is licensed in Europe. We will keep you apprised of developments in this area, as Anglo-American works are a vital component of this market, and these decisions have the potential to impact your income from abroad.
While attending the conference, I had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion titled “How Can Technology Improve Rights Management?” During this discussion, which focused on the challenges faced by the creative community in protecting intellectual property in the digital environment, I had the opportunity to talk about the efficiencies we’ve been able to make through the use of technology and the benefits BMI’s digital tools have afforded our songwriters, composers and music publishers. I’d like to encourage you to take advantage of this suite of tools, where you can update your mailing address and e-mail address, view your royalty statements and catalog, register new works, sign up for direct deposit of your royalties or take advantage of exclusive offers such as the US Bank Loan Program and “The Card,” which allows songwriters and composers who do not currently have a bank account to enjoy many of the advantages of an ATM card for access to their BMI royalties. Keeping your e-mail address up to date is particularly important, as it allows us to communicate vital news and information to the songwriting community at a moment’s notice.
I am also pleased to report that BMI is among more than two dozen organizations from the worlds of entertainment, arts, technology and sports that have come together to form the Copyright Alliance, a non-profit, non-partisan educational organization dedicated to promoting the value of copyright as an agent for creativity, jobs and growth. The Alliance represents an estimated 11 million Americans working in copyright-related industries, which together contribute more than 6% of America’s GDP. We are already receiving positive attention from members of Congress who recognize that our combined voice represents a major voting constituency and an important point of view on all matters relating to intellectual property.
Please note that this distribution includes initial payments for music used in cable television shows that are simulcast over XM and Sirius satellite radio. These payments will be included in all future quarterly royalty distributions.
Our congratulations go to Don Black, Bobby Weinstein and the family of the late Teddy Randazzo, who were recently inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and to special SHOF honorees Dolly Parton, Don Kirshner and John Legend. Congratulations also go to Kara DioGuardi, Sean Garrett, Ben Moody, David Hodges, George S. Clinton, Lucas Richman and all those honored at the BMI Pop and Film/TV Awards, held last month in Los Angeles, and to Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, who took home four Tony Awards for their work on “Spring Awakening,” with Sater winning for Best Book of a Musical and Best Lyrics of an Original Score and Sheik winning for Best Music of an Original Score and Best Orchestrations.
As we enter the summer months, the time of year when so many relax with family and friends and take time to recharge the creative muse, I’d like to offer my best wishes for a happy, healthy and rewarding summer season.
Sincerely,
Del Bryant
President
Chief Executive Officer
