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Years ago when I started composing I joined BMI and because I didn't know any better, set up both a songwriter and randomly named publisher account.

My question is... is there any benefit or disadvantage to having a publisher account? Thanks.

It's actually better to be signed up with a PRO as a songwriter and a publisher. You can gain more royalties that way.

If you were only signed up as a songwriter, you would only get 50% of the earnings and the publisher would get the other 50% (To my knowledge that is the downside of signing a publishing deal). But if you are registered as both and you are both the songwriter and publisher of a work, you get 100% of the earnings as opposed to only 50%. I hope that makes sense.

Right. Reason I ask is I see a lot of these listings say 100% writers share to artist/100% publisher share to company. Therefore, I'm wondering how that's handled if I already have all my songs listed under my publishing account on BMI? Thanks.

Ohhh okay, I see what you are saying. I'm guessing that the songs you start to pitch from here on out should only be registered under your songwriter profile so you don't hinder any potential placement opportunities. Hopefully someone with more industry knowledge can chime in. I haven't landed any placements yet but I'm signed up with BMI as a songwriter and a publisher.

Well, here's my take on it.

If you go direct to supe then you get the publishing... which you can't collect unless you are a publisher.
If you split the publishing 50/50 (with the supe or library) plus you get writer, you will need to be both writer and publisher to collect all the $$.$$ coming to you.
If you are placing your stuff with a library that gets 100% of the publishing, then they are the publisher... and there is a good chance that the library will re-title it anyway and re-register it with a PRO with them as the publisher and you the writer.

So I think that going forward, don't register the song with a PRO until it is placed. Then you can register it the way that fits the placement. After all, the only reason to have it registered with a PRO is to collect $$ when it is performed. And if it isn't performed anywhere that pays royalties, then why bother registering it.

how's that?

Russell

Excellent Russell! So... what if I've already registered most of my music both ways? Can I ask them to remove the publisher part if a company wants that? Also, I just randomly came up with a publisher name (Daveydad Music) using it when I signed on with BMI. Is there any "official" way that it's supposed to be done or is this common? Thanks for all the help ya'll!!

Hi David,

I'd suggest asking BMI directly. I've found them to be pretty responsive to questions. I'd think it should be fairly easy to switch your publisher's share to another publisher if need be.

Also with BMI I understand that you don't have to have a publishing company name, instead you can collect your publishing share by just listing your own name again (aside from songwriter 100%) as collecting 100% publishing.

Jim

I agree with Jim. Contact BMI about that... however, I wouldn't worry about it too much. This would be similar to a song placed under a reversion clause... the song reverts... new publisher picks it up...

I don't think that having the song registered with you as the publisher is gonna keep it from being picked up by a publisher.

Russell

Thanks for the insight Russ! Your info has helped me as well.

You've done well. Keep as much of your own publishing as possible.
Bruce