The Musician Physician is a medical doctor and has been certified by The American Board of Radiology. God has blessed him with the essence of LIFE and has given him the gift of music. In return for these blessings he spreads HIS word through his newly discovered voice-the saxophone. He now plays a dual role in the treatment of the medical and musical needs of patients, family, friends and fans. These diverse entities (Medicine and Music) favorably co-exist--thus creating the stage name "THE MUSICIAN PHYSICIAN". "GOD is THE Physician--I am an instrument of HIS Will-To cure, sometimes; To help, often; To console ALWAYS".
"The physician cures with fervent love for human life- With the sound of music, he comforts and enlightens peoples' hearts as well."
-Jerome C.H. Yen

BMI & The Publisher

1. When am I eligible to become a BMI publisher?
Over the years, experience has indicated that becoming a BMI publisher will be of practical benefit only to those who have the ability and resources to undertake exploitation of their works.

At the time of affiliating with BMI, applicants should have some musical compositions being performed or likely to be performed by broadcasting stations or in other public performances.

If, in the opinion of BMI, you meet these basic qualifications, a contract will be offered.

Under this contract, you, as the publisher, assign to BMI the public performing rights of the works in your catalog. These works are then included in the overall repertoire available to BMI licensees.

2. Is there a charge to become a BMI publisher?
Although many performing rights organizations impose an annual charge or collect annual dues, BMI does not follow that practice; instead, there is an initial charge of $150 for solely-owned publishing companies and $250 for partnerships, corporations (including sole stockholder corporations) and limited liability companies, which partially defray administrative costs. This charge is made only at the time of affiliation and is neither refundable nor deductible from earnings. Once affiliation is completed, payment of a $75 administration fee is required if you wish to change the name of your publishing company or if there has been a change in ownership.

3. How do I become a BMI publisher?
You must fill out an application and sign a contract.

4. What happens then?
The contracts are then signed by a representative of BMI and a fully executed copy is returned to you. In addition, you receive instructions and forms relating to the registration of titles. Material and information regarding subpublishing is included, as is a list of foreign PROs with which BMI has agreements.

5. What is the duration of the usual contract between BMI and a publisher?
Five years. At the end of the term the contract is automatically renewed unless either you or BMI gives the proper contractual notice at least three months before the renewal date of the contract.

6. What procedures must a publisher follow upon joining?
In order to reap the full benefits of the agreement, the publisher must take a series of steps to give BMI the information necessary to monitor and pay for works.

The steps are as follows:

(1) Register your active works with BMI immediately.

It is essential that the publisher carefully follow instructions relating to the completion of work registration forms, and file them with BMI's Music Works Registration dept.

(2) Promptly register each new work with BMI.

Every new work that the publisher acquires should be registered with the Music Works Registration dept. prior to its anticipated performance or prior to the date of its publication, the release of the first recording or exhibition of any film or tape with which the work is synchronized. A work registration form must be sent to the BMI Music Works Registration dept. in Nashville for each work. If this procedure is not followed, BMI cannot credit you with performances of your works. Confirmation of receipt for each work registered will be sent to you.

(3) Notify BMI if a song is used in a motion picture or in a television program.

If a work from the publisher's catalog is used in a motion picture or a filmed television program, the usage of such material is reported on a music cue sheet prepared by the producer of the film. This sheet will list how the selection was used and the duration of the performance(s). When such a usage of a work from the publisher's catalog occurs, the music cue sheet should be sent to the TV Operations department in Nashville. In the case of cue and background music, it is not necessary to submit work registration forms unless specifically requested by BMI. However, each feature song or theme used in a TV show or film should be registered.

(4) Performances of works abroad.

BMI has agreements with all important foreign PROs throughout the world. These societies monitor and pay BMI for performances in their territories of the works that are in the BMI repertoire. Foreign PROs divide performance royalties into a publishers' share and a writers� share. When a publisher assigns its entire catalog or any of its works to a foreign publisher, known as a subpublisher, the agreement between the original publisher and the foreign publisher, known as a subpublishing agreement, should state that performing rights have been granted to BMI and what percentage of the publishers� shares each publisher is to receive. The agreement should also specify whether the original publisher's share will be collected on its behalf by the subpublisher or whether it is to be paid by the foreign PRO to BMI for the original publisher's account. Further, the agreement should stipulate the duration of the subpublication assignment and the territory covered.

In order for the publisher to secure the benefits of agreements made with BMI, it is essential that BMI give full information to foreign PROs. For this purpose, it is imperative that the publisher, when joining BMI, advise BMI if subpublishing rights in its catalog or any individual compositions in its catalog have previously been granted to a foreign subpublisher. BMI�s GAF form should be used to so advise BMI.

In the future, when the publisher enters into any subpublishing agreements, the GAF form should be used to immediately notify BMI so that a proper claim for performance royalties may be made. Failure to give this information to BMI promptly may result in loss of royalties. Copies of the GAF form are always available from BMI's International Department in New York or from any BMI Writer/Publisher Relations office.

(5) Acquiring works from abroad.

BMI's agreements with foreign PROs also enable BMI publishers to secure performing rights for the United States in works written or published by writer or publisher members of these foreign PROs. It is absolutely essential that at the time the publisher acquires rights in any such work BMI should be notified via the regular work registration form. The form should include the title of the work, the names of the contracting parties, their licensing organization, the territories under control and the duration of the assignment. This information is necessary so that royalties for the foreign writer and/or publisher may be paid directly to the foreign PRO for the account of such writer and/or publisher.

(6) Changes of name, address or ownership.

The Writer/Publisher Administration department in your area should be notified immediately of any change in name, address or ownership structure. Failure to notify BMI is a breach of contract and may prevent payment for performances or result in termination of your agreement.

Copyright �1999 BMI

All content Copyright 1999 �, Broadcast Music, Inc. unless otherwise specified.
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