Music Licensing

In the case of recorded music, the performance rights generally are owned by a performing rights organization. The three largest in the US include the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP); Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI); and SESAC, Inc.

As such, clubs must obtain a licensing fee to obtain the legal permission required to perform copyrighted music under the US Copyright Law. This includes live music performances and recorded music (like a DJ or the broadcast of subscription music services).

Each organization is separate and distinct and represents different songwriters, composers, publishers and copyright holders, and each organization licenses only the copyrighted works of its own respective affiliated copyright holders. For example, a license with BMI does not grant your club the authorization for the right to use the copyrighted music of SESAC- or ASCAP-represented songwriters, composers, publishers, or copyright holders.