Latest in BMI

BMI, the music rights management organization, says it can’t kick Morgan Wallen from its ranks, but has asked the iconic gospel singer BeBe Winans to educate the disgraced country music singer-songwriter about being a more “empathetic person." While the country music industry has pretty much turned its back on the…

The Justice Department will not move to terminate or modify the 80-year consent decrees that govern how most music is licensed after a review. Makan Delrahim, the chief of of the Antitrust Division, cited the lack of consensus among stakeholders in the industry as a reason for not moving to terminate the decrees…

Jim King, former executive at music rights group BMI, and comedy label 800 Pound Gorilla Records co-founders Ryan Bitzer and Damion Greiman have launched Spoken Giants, a royalty administration company specifically for creators of spoken word copyrights. Based in Nashville and aimed at comedians, podcasters…

The Justice Department is planning a virtual public workshop on one of the most contentious issues in the music business – the future of the nearly 80-year-old consent decrees that have governed how works are licensed. The event on July 28 and 29 is the latest development as the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division…

UPDATE: On Saturday, the Rolling Stones released a statement, threatening to sue. "This could be the last time President Donald Trump uses Stones songs. Despite cease & desist directives to Donald Trump in the past, the Rolling Stones are taking further steps to exclude him using their songs at any of his future…

Don’t stop til you get enough. BMI and the Michael Jackson estate have extended their long-term deal for rights to the King of Pop’s catalog. This deal continues the relationship between Jackson and the performance rights group that began in 1979. The estate and BMI most recently renewed the deal in 2014. "Michael…

It’s the dog days of summer, but there are changes in the wind. The first festival to allow legal cannabis sales takes places this weekend; the biggest music company in the world is contemplating selling off a piece; the two biggest performing rights societies are trying to get the rules under which they are governed…