[Fmpro] FMPRO Digest, Vol 39, Issue 4 -- Multiple PROs

[Mark Northam]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: fmpro-bounces+markn=gmocorp.com at nxport.com [mailto:fmpro-
> bounces+markn=gmocorp.com at nxport.com] On Behalf Of Gael MacGregor
> Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2008 3:17 AM
> To: fmpro at nxport.com
> Subject: Re: [Fmpro] FMPRO Digest, Vol 39, Issue 4 -- Multiple PROs
> 
> A partial answer to the Q RE multiple affiliations -- From BMI's own site:
"...you
> cannot join BMI if you are currently affiliated with another performing
right society...
> You may only have a contract with one performing right organization (PRO)
at a
> time..."
> 

And this is one of the most blatantly unfair parts of the US PRO structure.
Every froeign writer can split their catalog among ASCAP and BMI
concurrently, so they can place music where it will earn the most money. Why
should FOREIGN writers have MORE RIGHTS at our PROs than US writers???

As a SOCAN member, you can carve up your catalog and apportion it among
ASCAP and BMI any way you'd like. Same for writer whose home society is
outside the US.

Imagine a world where ASCAP and BMI actually competed for your music instead
of locking you into excuslive contracts with one or the other. That's
exactly what foreign writers experience in the US, so why should it be
denied to US writers?

Mark Northam