Sony/ATV Threatens To Exit ASCAP and BMI

Music publishers Sony/ATV Music has turned up the heat in the ongoing battle between major publishers and both ASCAP and BMI with a letter to its tens of thousands of member songwriters.  Unless a series of reforms at the performing rights organizations are implemented, Sony/ATV would consider “the potential complete withdrawal of all rights from ASCAP and BMI,” wrote Martin N. Bandier, Sony/ATV chairman.

Sony is not the only major publisher considering an exit.

Universal Music has been airing similar complaints, and last week said it would put data for its entire catalog online – a move that would make a possible exit from its relationship with the performing rights organizations much easier.

BMI and ASCAP currently pays out about $2 billion to songrwiters and publishers each year; and the exit of major publisghers would be a major blow.

Source: Hyperbot