BMI Licensing
Apparently BMI now has licensing information for Part 15 stations!
😀 I don't believe you are correct! I just went to BMI's website and search for anything with Part15 and there is nothing there... perhaps you can ponit out where in the licensing it is? I seached and read most of the licenses and other than the LPFM license... there is nothing....
Radiopilot
From Debbie Wallach: [email protected]
Hello,
I am in response to your email dated November 26, 2004. Our BMI
agreement for Part 15 station was recently approved. Please send me the
following information so I may forward documention to your attention.
Legal Name
Address (station & mailing)
Phone and Fax numbers
On air date
Signatory for the station
Call letters or name used for frequency.
Thank you
Debbie Wallach
BMI Account rep.
😕 Of course if you contacted THEM... they will want you to send in fees.. but according to the site... there are no rules or license agreements with Part15 stations as they are not FCC licensed stations... you have just opened another hole for money to go into... I have no problem with paying any fees to whomever deserves it... Do you also report all your tips and income to IRS? I doubt that our part15 stations running 2-3 hours a day will provide the funds necessary to pay the required fees from BMI, ASCAP, etc., etc....
Radiopilot
I want to be completely legal with my station... especially with licensing of music. There is no mention of it on their website I'm told because it's new. I run my station 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I can't see how the BMI fees will be "too high" as they are per song, per listener count in your listening area.
If they are too high, then I will just stop playing BMI music.. not really that hard.
I understand... we all want to be legal, with the FCC and also with the nmusic industry... I'm not knocking anyone here.. I too broadcast music but until I see the forms online at BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, etc., then it's because there is nothing for us to do until there is legitimate representation... why send any fees if it's officially not required to do so? We've all been lucky so far with our hobby/business but officially we're not a Cumulus or Clear Channel station and never will be!
Radiopilot
<< said the organization had received numerous requests for a license to cover public performance of music on these stations. >>
Ask and ye shall receive.
I figure that as little music that I'll play that's not public domain, buying the CD, or paying an online source for music, should be sufficient.
Bill
On BMI's website is a form for LPFM stations. They can license themselves to play BMI music for $239/year. But BMI wants $200 from part 15 stations?
Most LPFMs are running at least 100 watts, compared to one-tenth watt for part 15. The fee doesn't seem to reflect that.
Just looked at ASCAP to see what their fee is... for stations earning from $0-50,000.00 yr. the fee is $450.00yr.: http://www.ascap.com/licensing/radio/Blanket_Radio_License.pdf
that is in addition to the $200.00yr. for BMI and for SESAC it's:
http://www.sesac.com/pdf/Radio_License_2005.pdf
Try another $708.00yr. (2005) rate, higher each year, that's for a station earning $0-9999.00yr.
As you can see this adds up to a hefty amount which most Part15 radio stations just can't come up with this revenue, let alone recover the cost when there are far and few advertisers willing to spend their dollars on the AM side of the dial... some stations report less than 10 people listening to their station at any given time?????
I saw this post a while ago and came back all set to chime in, only to find that radiopilot and wkb1690 had already made my argument...
Which I am not sad to see, as I think the argument is a good one. My hat is off to them for making it.
I don't know what it is. Do the composer/publisher groups (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) not have a clue, or do they certainly have a clue and don't care?
What's really sad is that until 1978, radio nonprofits paid no royalties. Of course, seeing as how the concept of "nonprofit" has been abused, it wasn't too hard for the content cartel to extend their rent-seeking.
My position is this:
1. If I can ever get into a position of being able to put up some Part 15 stuff (hope, hope), it will likely be primarily for my own experimentation and will be on my nickle.
2. As such, I'm not going to pay for the pleasure of putting any modulation on the wave.
Providence grant that we return to the original "allowable unauthorized use" test of US copyright jurisprudence, namely "transformative use, promoting the advancement of science and useful arts."
End another rant...
BMI's official responce is:
The $ 200.00 license fee for Part 15 stations is by far the lowest fee
that we charge any broadcast stations. The annual LPFM fee is actually
$ 262.00, not $ 239.00. You are correct that LPFMs are of a higher
wattage; however they are unable to sell commercials. Some of the
hobbyists or broadcasters that run Part 15s are actually selling spots
so that played a role in the fee that we set for the category.
LPFMs can't sell commercials? I thought they could get 'underwriters'?
"played a role in the fee that """we""" set for the category"
So basically you are the reason why all of us may have to pay these fees... I hope you read my previous post about ACACP and SESAC because if you pay BMI then you may have to pay the others as well... I can't belive the "lion" opened his mouth and "you" walked in????? Are you in LALA land or something... take the headphones off everynow than then and smell the fresh air!!!
No, I'm not in lala land, and I don't mean to stir up anything. What I do want to do, however, is make sure that I am complying with all laws wether state, federal, or otherwise. I decided to run "all local artists" on my station due to the fact that I wouldn't have to fay royalty fees, but thought I would investigate the possiblity of playing other music if I payed the fees.
One thing I *do* know.. I will not be playing any BMI or ASCAP music *without* a license.
I don't believe any Part 15 station is required to pay BMI fees. Of course if you contact them about it and tell them you are a broadcaster with a radio station, they would love to take your money.
However, you are NOT broadcasters, no matter how bad you want to be. You are MICROcasters. Putting on a legal station with no FCC license required, for your own personal use around your house and in your yard. If your neighbors hear it, so be it.
It's like me singing in the shower with my bathroom widow open. If the neighbor wants to hear it he can leave his window open, if not, he can close it.