RENO, Nev. - s4story -- Performing Rights Organizations (PROs): ASCAP & BMI

​What are PROs?

Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) are crucial for songwriters and publishers. They collect public performance royalties when your music is played on radio, TV, in venues, or even streamed online. In the United States, the two largest PROs are ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) and BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.).

​Why join a PRO?

Joining a PRO ensures you get paid when your music is publicly performed. Without one, you'd have no way to track and collect these royalties.

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​How to choose between ASCAP and BMI:

Both operate similarly, so the choice often comes down to personal preference or the affiliations of your collaborators. You can only be a writer member of one PRO at a time, but you can be a publisher member of multiple.

​How to join:

You'll need to apply as both a "writer" and a "publisher." Even if you don't have a formal publishing company, you'll set up a publishing entity with your PRO. This ensures you collect both your writer and publisher shares of performance royalties.

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t7FpDyiVaI