I just joined BMI and a few questions, THANKS in advance!!

[markhimley]

I have a few questions if anyone would be willing to shed some light, it would be much appreciated!

So I just joined TAXI and BMI and submitted to my first listing last night. I was starting the process of registering the cue in BMI but ran into a few things I was unsure about.

1. How does BMI track your music without an audio recording? (It said I don't need to upload a sound recording to register it)

2. What if only part of the cue/track is used in a placement?

3. If it hasn't been placed yet, do I claim there are no publishers and take 200% of the ownership, and then just edit it later when it gets placed?

4. If the intended recording use is "Library", but it hasn't been placed in one yet, what do you put in the blank? And what is a CD Identifier?

Thank you very much in advance!

[Russell Landwehr]

Hi Mark.
Again welcome to the Forums.

I know these questions were answered elsewhere, but for the benefit of TAXI members and Forum members I'm copying the reply to this that you got elsewhere.

His reply to your questions was spot on. Hopefully he doesn't mind me pasting his first three bullets comments here.

"1. BMI (ie your PRO) does not track the audio recording. You register the entitlement (ie who owns) that track. If you are looking to have it signed by a publisher then don't register it. They will! And they will include their publishing entitlement info at the same time.

2. When a track is used/placed, the production company fills out a cue sheet. The cue sheet contains a listing of all tracks used in the production, including length of use, type of use. This cue sheet is sent to the PRO. They then pay the entitled parties accordingly.

3. Best not to register if you plan on having it published by someone else."

4. With BMI, I think you are referring to the intended use field. I think BMI really only cares about two types of intended use. For use synced to film or TV, or released on a CD. I'm assuming you are shooting for mostly sync uses (Film/TV) so IF you ever need to register a song with BMI, you would choose the option for TV use (or something like that). However, usually the only time you will need to register a song with BMI is if you are signing it directly with a supervisor of a film or show. (there is one particular Library I know of that also wants you to register the cue yourself, but don't worry about that until they ask you to do that)

One other thing, the use of the words "placed" and "signed" can get confusing. Normally we use "placed" or "placement" to mean that the cue has been used in a TV show or commercial or something. We use the term "signed" or "signing" when we've got our cues and songs accepted and signed to a Library or Publisher.

Good luck on your new journey!

Russell Landwehr

[daveydad]

Related to this... how close to actually payout can a cue sheet be submitted to BMI? I've had cues used in 3 episodes of a show but only one cue sheet for an episode has been files so far.

[markhimley]

Thanks again Russell! And Davey- that's another great question

[andygabrys]

Related to this... how close to actually payout can a cue sheet be submitted to BMI? I've had cues used in 3 episodes of a show but only one cue sheet for an episode has been files so far.

you can find this info on the BMI site - or call your rep.

[mojobone]

I'll save you the trouble; cue sheets should be submitted before the air date, but that doesn't always happen; you can generally expect payment within about two or three quarters (of a year) after the cue sheets are filed, but it varies.

[hummingbird]

Depends where you live and how your PRO manages things. But my last royalty statement (Feb 12/16) was for broadcasts made early in 2015.