Online music copyright system launches
The BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated) has launched the first digital music copyright licensing system for Web sites.
The Digital Licensing Centre (DLC) is an end-to-end, click-through system giving instant online access to public performance copyright for BMI's entire catalogue of musical works.
The BMI represents and collects copyright royalties for over 250,00 artists, including David Bowie, Oasis, Lou Reed and Elton John. The organisation signed the world's first agreement for the performance of copyrighted music on the Internet in 1995.
As a part of the new licensing system, the BMI has also reduced the minimum fees that it charges smaller Web sites for complete access to its catalogue. Sites earning under $12,000 a year now pay $250 a year for unlimited clearance, half the previous fee.
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