ASCAP or BMI?

July 18, 2006 5:11 PM

What are the differences between ASCAP and BMI? Does anyone consider one performing right organization superior to the other and, if so, why?

A question previously posted today about ASCAP made me think of a related query of my own. It's actually a question posed towards me often as my job involves managing songwriting musicians. I am personally registered through BMI and have been happy with them. I recommend them to my artists solely based on my experience. But, when asked, "What's the difference?" what should I say? (I realize there is also SESAC but my understanding is that they specialize in Canadian writers ... we are all based in the USA.)

posted by General Zubon to media & arts (6 comments total)

blog about ascap vs. bmi...
thread about difference between ascap and BMI (see june 26th posts onward)
another forum thread on choosing between the two

All as a result of google searching: ascap bmi difference...
posted by twiggy at 6:37 PM on July 18, 2006

Oops, first link broken:

blog about ascap vs. bmi ... that should do it.
posted by twiggy at 6:38 PM on July 18, 2006

SESAC? Surely you mean SOCAN?
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 7:46 PM on July 18, 2006

No, I think they mean SESAC. There are (at least?) three performing rights organizations in the US. SOCAN is for Canadians only.
posted by winston at 7:59 PM on July 18, 2006

Winston, I know that SOCAN is for Canadians only. The OP had said that SESAC was for Canadians only.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 4:50 AM on July 19, 2006

Aha. Okay, the way I read it now, the OP does mean SESAC, but was confusing it with SOCAN when he said that they specialize in Canadians.
posted by winston at 11:12 AM on July 19, 2006