Hi Micki,
 
Besides BMI...I know someone else mentioned ASCAP, and there's also SESAC -are the major music recording licensing, performance rights organizations. Also, it's important to know that even Indie record labels can have a licensing agreement with one of these. You can find the licensing co. name right on your CD and cover.
 
I must mention that a non-profit organization should not have to pay fees! I'm not 100% certain of this and things can change of course. It's been over a decade ago now, but I had the opportunity to meet and talk to.. and I asked the then-President of BMI, Bobby Weinstein (who was also inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame this year) about this. I would ask the BMI field agent to send you their written policy regarding non-profits.
 
I really think the BMI rep is bullying you to pay these fees and recommend that you send BMI proof of your non-profit status. In retail stores, bars, restaurants and other money-making establishments..the music is used for profit making purposes.
 
If a museum gift shop is selling musical recordings other than what's being played in the galleries...as a recording artist and/or songwriter, I'd have a problem with that.
 
Another thing you could do is contact the recording artist and/or songwriter and ask permission (if even as a courtesy) to play the music. Most would probably not have issue with this because they want their music to be heard, and perhaps would feel that people may be encouraged to purchase their music (if even you don't sell it there).
 
Pam
 
In a message dated 11/8/2007 9:45:30 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes:
I would like to hear from other small museums about paying a fee to BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc) for playing a CD as background to an exhibit. I bring CDs in from home, some played as background "mood" for a period room, others in my office to keep me company. BMI claims that because the public has access to both the exhibits and my office, I have to pay them $350 each year to play my CDs. Well, close the door and I'll tell you what I think of that.  But in order to get the name of our obscure, remote, rural museum, they must have photocopied the pages of museum directories everywhere, so someone has probably dealt with this issue?
 
Micki Ryan, Director
Orcas Island Historical Museum
POB 134, Eastsound WA 98245
360 376-4849  [log in to unmask]
 



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