KNOW YOUR PROs - Music Licensing Choices 
Whether it's a live band, karaoke or background music, studies show that music creates a more memorable and enjoyable experience, and drives repeat business. However, using music in your business requires permission from the writers who created it according to federal copyright law. This is most efficiently done by licensing with Performing Rights Organizations (PROs).

PROs represent the copyrighted songs owned by songwriters, composers and music publishers. Songwriters and composers can only join one PRO to collect royalties on their behalf, and the PRO then provides blanket licenses to businesses that allow them to legally perform all the songs they represent. Each PRO exclusively represents different writers, so if you use a range of popular music in your business, you may decide you need to get a license from the four major PROs: BMI, ASCAP, SESAC and GMR.

BMI and ASCAP are the largest PROs and collectively represent more than 90% of music performed on domestic radio and streamed online. SESAC and GMR are much smaller – collectively representing nearly all the remaining 10% of music performed on domestic radio and streaming services.
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PROs represent the copyrighted songs owned by songwriters, composers and music publishers. Songwriters and composers can only join one PRO to collect royalties on their behalf, and the PRO then provides blanket licenses to businesses that allow them to legally perform all the songs they represent. Each PRO exclusively represents different writers, so if you use a range of popular music in your business, you may decide you need to get a license from the four major PROs: BMI, ASCAP, SESAC and GMR.  

Some new PROs have recently emerged that have extremely limited catalogs of music. We recommend that you request a complete list of the songs licensed by each new PRO to help determine whether you are likely to perform any of their affiliated music.   

The infographic above provides an overview of American PROs to help you select the right licenses for your business.

Feel free to post this on your website and share with your members. You can download the infographic here.