Q: What types of music use does the BMI Music License for RV Parks and Campgrounds include?

The license covers all music performed on the premises, including live music, DJs, karaoke, music around the pool, Christmas in July (holiday music), music in the lobby or park stores, field games with music, line dancing and TVs in common areas.

Q: Does this license include Fixed Structures?

The BMI Music License for RV Parks and Campgrounds excludes properties which have more than fifty percent (50%) Fixed Structures, such as hotels/motels, cabins. Those facilities will be licensed under other BMI Music Licenses. Check with a BMI representative information to see what license is right for your RV park or campground.

Q: Does the license include any performances of music at concerts or other musical attractions held in the RV park or campground?

A BMI music license covers live and recorded music for your campers’ enjoyment. However, it does not authorize or cover musical performances such as concerts or other musical attractions where the general public is admitted or there is a separate admission charge to attend.

Q: How do we report under our Campgrounds/RV Parks Music License?

When you pay your annual fee, you will also submit a report (on forms provided by BMI) indicating the highest number of campsites for the year reported and the actual live music and entertainment costs. Your fee may then be adjusted based on this report.

Q: If a business has a license with another performing rights organization (PRO), do they still need to license with BMI?

Yes. If that business wants to play any BMI music. A music license with another performing rights organization only allows you to perform copyrighted music represented by that organization. It will not cover the public performances of the award-winning music licensed by BMI. This is because each songwriter or composer may belong to only one performing right organization at any given time, so each PRO licenses a unique repertoire of music. For a look at 100% BMI works, click here.

Q: If musicians, DJs and entertainers are performing, are they responsible for obtaining the necessary music licenses for their public performance?

No. Since it’s the business or organization that is authorizing the performance of music, BMI offers a license to the owner of the establishment to ensure that the business or organization has the necessary permission to publicly perform BMI music.

Q: Our business plays music from a playlist on Spotify, Pandora or Apple Music. Isn’t this our property to play anywhere?

Although your digital music subscription gives you access to an enormous catalog of music, it does not provide the necessary copyright clearance to play those songs in a public setting. Once you decide to play any copyrighted music publicly as part of your business, you need permission from the copyright owners.

Q: Where Does My Money Go After I Pay My Licensing Fee?

Your licensing fee goes to BMI’s affiliated songwriters, composers and music publishers in the form of royalties. Your payment supports the continued creation of music, which enhances the overall experience for your customers.

With over 22.4 million musical works in BMI’s repertoire, it is very likely that BMI represents some of the music that the bands you are hiring are performing. Many times, these performers are asked to play cover songs written by someone else and those types of performances require permission from the copyright owner.