BMI

The second major US PRO. It has operated for profit since 2022 (acquired by New Mountain Capital). BMI leans somewhat toward radio + television while ASCAP leans toward streaming, though each licenses everywhere. Membership is exclusive — choose ASCAP or BMI, never both.

What BMI collects

Performance royalties are collected by a performing rights organization whenever a composition plays publicly, including on radio, television, a stream, or at a live venue.

In United States, BMI collects public performance. BMI was established in 1939 and reports approximately 1,500,000 members.

Joining BMI

Joining cost: Free. Royalties are distributed quarterly. You need an IPI number — the global identifier connecting a writer with their works, without which registrations cannot be matched to payments.

Register directly at BMI.

Where Davincii fits

Davincii files your compositions with BMI directly, keeps the data matched, and collects what BMI pays the publisher.