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Joined: May 2010
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I realize there are many discussions about ASCAP and BMI, but I am posting about my own situation.
I joined BMI because it was free and had a co-writer that needed me to be associated. My membership is up at the end of this year.
I am currently co-writing with someone who is in ASCAP (as a publisher) and they feel it would be easier and smarter for me to leave BMI and join ASCAP, mostly for the reason that it is easier to register the songs.
I am reading lots of articles and information, but It all contradicts itself and I am still not coming up with that one reason that pushes me to decide whether to do it or not, so any ideas or info from someone who may know more than me...which should be everyone, would be very helpful and appreciated.
Thanks, Tammy
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Hi Tammy:
Ultimately, Money enters the picture. If changing pro organizations in order to strengthen a partnership would "sweeten the pot"... by all means, consider doing just that. An important part of any such decision would involve the size of your registered songs with your current pro... and the annual proceeds being generated by that repertoire.
Best of luck. Above all, do what is best for you.
Normally, co-writing with writers from a "different stable" is done everyday. Your publisher should be comfortable with how the proceeds are split.
You can hear all manner of stories about how this Pro is better than the other... but if you are satisfied with your current Pro... why change?
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Joined: Aug 2008
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I'm with Dave, Tammy. It shouldn't matter with whom you're registered. If a song is ever licensed, everyone's PRO is notified in any case, and royalties are paid out accordingly.
I'm with a Dutch PRO (Buma-Stemra), and write with collaborators who are with BMI, with a Canadian PRO (SOCAN), and with the PRO in the UK (PRS).
On the song that ended up in a TV series a couple of years ago, the three of us each belonged to a different PRO.
Donna
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Joined: Aug 2002
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Most publishers have companies in all PROs just for this use.They will register your song with what ever PRO you are a member of.
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Joined: Jun 2011
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Stay where you are....It's done all the time. They are both good organizations... STAY
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Joined: Dec 2008
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"I am currently co-writing with someone who is in ASCAP (as a publisher) and they feel it would be easier and smarter for me to leave BMI and join ASCAP, mostly for the reason that it is easier to register the songs" - TammyHi Tammy, It's not difficult registering with different PRO's at all. Just have to list your co-writer’s name, PRO, and CAE/IPI number. Very easy. Stay where you are. I’d be concerned that moving from PRO to PRO could cost you missed royalties. Best, John
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Joined: May 2001
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There is no need to change Pro's. There is a place on the Registration Form to indicate the pro a writer belongs to when registering the song with your Pro. Assuming you and a co-writer gets a song cut both would register the song with their respective Pro. If each writer has a Publisher the Publisher(s) would register the song. Generally when you join a Pro you are a member for life unless you take the steps to end your assocation.
Ray E. Strode
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Joined: May 2010
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Dave, Donna, Everett, Barry, John and Ray,
Thank you all so very much for coming in and giving me your thoughts on this subject. I find it very helpful and am so very happy that I have a place to go to ask such questions. I really appreciate your time, experience and knowledge.
Tammy
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Joined: Jun 2006
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ASCAP and BMI are essentially the same. If you write hits, you can make it at either place.
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Joined: Sep 2011
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I'm ASCAP and I've collaborated with a couple of BMI lyricists.
I swear, I have had fewer problems with ASCAP than they did with BMI when it was time to register the songs ( on a release ).
Also, ASCAP, when you are setting up a publishing company ASCAP doesn't charge, but BMI charges I think $150 just to set up a publishing company, ouch! Remember, folks, the "publisher's royalty" belongs, initially, to the songwriter -- it's his/hers to give or negotiate ( much depends on your bargaining position ) the point being you should set up a publishing company, whether you plan to go into publishing in a big way or not, and so it's cheaper to do this with ASCAP.
That's all I can say.
But, you don't need both to be in the same PRO.
Patrick
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Joined: Dec 2008
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Hi Pat! ASCAP charges a one time processing fee of $50 for writers and/or publishers. BMI doesn't charge anything for writers, but $150 for publishers. When I joined ASCAP it was free. Not much is free these days. Oh, except for intellectual property. John
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Joined: May 2010
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I wonder if I DID move...do my songs go from one place to the other?? (the ones I already registered with BMI?)
Last edited by TamsNumber4; 03/07/14 02:32 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2008
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You'd probably have to re-register the titles with ASCAP. ASCAP has a quick form for registering. Very easy. That being said, from the BMI members I've talked with, I don't think it will make much difference in royalty payments. Unless you have a crystal ball... I'd stay put. John
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Joined: Sep 2011
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the word i get is that it is probably more trouble than it is worth. If you've got songs out there and airplay, and you have songs registered with BMI, switching PROs is going to be a mini-nightmare, and you might screw yourself out of some royalties with the paperwork shuffling that is inevitable. The time to switch, in my view, if you really want to do it, is long before you are getting cuts, airplay, cue sheets, and registering songs.
Pat Hardy Lockwood
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Having a writer from two PROs can be advantageous, at least for one of them. When it becomes time to make a fair comparison the writer that gets paid less on a song by their PRO can possibly request an increase. I've seen it happen.
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Joined: Jul 2011
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How is ASCAP or BMI for who do sound recordings strictly online? How are PRO's with that?
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