ASCAP? BMI? Others?

Is your performance venue licensed with a performing rights agency like ASCAP or BMI in order to secure permissions for rights to music? The IAC needs to hear from others of you who We got this question from Tom Lacina at the Grinnell Area Arts Council, who says,

The Promoter/Presenter fees at ASCAP & BMI (not to mention SESAC) are $219 and $211 per year, respectively. Then there is a quarterly report that can add 8% of gross of concerts needing the license to the extent they exceed the base fee. One option is to prohibit musicians from performing copyrighted material, which isn’t too hard for many of our groups who do old folk music or original compositions. Another option is possibly to fall under a governmental entity (like a city) license for all venues. This is a flat fee of $305 per year for each of ASCAP & BMI. Not certain how well targeted that is to protect an independent arts council using the facilities. And of course, it doesn’t cover events in private establishments (like a club) or a non-licensed government location (like a school).


Admittedly, we are on the small end and likely of little interest to ASCAP & BMI, who are largely focused on for-profits (restaurants, etc.) and internet. Still, we want to be compliant with law.

How are rights handled at your place?