BMI and RMLC set interim radio licensing rate

bmi canvasBMI and the Radio Music License Committee have set an interim licensing rate that will apply while the two parties continue negotiating a final rate. Judge Louis Stanton, who presides over BMI’s Federal Rate Court in the Southern District of New York, set 1.7% of radio revenue as the interim rate.

The RMLC initially proposed 1.4% of radio revenue as the rate, but BMI argued that was based on “incomplete and incorrect information regarding BMI’s share of radio performance.” If the companies are unable to agree on a final rate, they will return to the rate court to settle on the amount.

The RMLC has already secured a five-year agreement with ASCAP, the other main performing rights organization in the U.S., for its radio licensing fee.

Anna Washenko