BMI, a music rights management company, has emerged victorious in a rate court dispute with Live Nation, AEG, and the North American Concert Promoters Association (NACPA), according to a recent decision by Judge Louis L. Stanton of the Southern District of New York. This decision ends decades of underpayment for songwriters, composers, and publishers in the live concert industry.
As per the ruling, BMI affiliates will receive a rate that is 138% higher than the historical rate, and the new rate will be applied to an expanded revenue base that takes into account the way modern promoters monetise concerts. This includes tickets sold directly onto the secondary market, servicing fees received by the promoters, and revenues from box suites and VIP packages.
BMI’s President & CEO, Mike O’Neill, expressed his satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating that it will have a significant and long-term positive impact on the royalties received by the live concert category’s songwriters, composers, and publishers. O’Neill added that the ruling emphasizes BMI’s mission to fight on behalf of its affiliates to ensure that they receive fair value for their creative work, no matter how long it takes.
However, O’Neill expressed disappointment that it took years of litigation and millions of dollars to get Live Nation, AEG, and NACPA to finally pay songwriters, composers, and publishers what they deserve. Nonetheless, BMI sees the decision as a massive victory for the music industry and looks forward to the positive impact it will have on the royalties received by its affiliates in the live concert category.
