Music Licensing for Political Entities or Organizations

The BMI Political Entities license authorizes the public performance of over 22.4 million musical works in BMI’s repertoire at events and functions hosted by political campaigns and organizations. This blanket license ensures that political entities are in compliance with copyright law wherever events may occur throughout the duration of the campaign. The license includes a provision that permits BMI to exclude a musical work(s) from the license should we receive an objection from a songwriter or publisher regarding its use by the licensee. If that occurs, BMI will notify the licensee that the particular musical work has been removed from license and is no longer authorized by BMI to perform the musical work.

No, a venue license does not cover events and functions hosted by political campaigns and organizations held at venues. Political campaigns must obtain a BMI Political Entities License to authorize to use of the musical works, whether at a traditional location such as a hotel or convention center, or at a nontraditional location such as airport hangars or community fields, where political events take place.