Now is the right time to become an American Federation of Musicians member. From ragtime to rap, from the early phonograph to today's digital recordings, the AFM has been there for its members. And now there are more benefits available to AFM members than ever before, including a multi-million dollar pension fund, excellent contract protection, instrument and travelers insurance, work referral programs and access to licensed booking agents to keep you working.

As an AFM member, you are part of a membership of more than 80,000 musicians. Experience has proven that collective activity on behalf of individuals with similar interests is the most effective way to achieve a goal. The AFM can negotiate agreements and administer contracts, procure valuable benefits and achieve legislative goals. A single musician has no such power.

The AFM has a proud history of managing change rather than being victimized by it. We find strength in adversity, and when the going gets tough, we get creative - all on your behalf.

Like the industry, the AFM is also changing and evolving, and its policies and programs will move in new directions dictated by its members. As a member, you will determine these directions through your interest and involvement. Your membership card will be your key to participation in governing your union, keeping it responsive to your needs and enabling it to serve you better. To become a member now, visit www.afm.org/join.

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Pandora and BMI

Pandora and BMI Trial Begins

February 26, 2015 IM

In February Pandora and BMI headed to court in a trial to determine how much Pandora will pay BMI songwriters and publishers. According to The New York Times, recent debates over music royalties with ASCAP and BMI have galvanized musicians and driven the Justice Department to review the regulatory agreements that govern BMI and ASCAP.

Pandora currently pays BMI 1.75% of its revenue, but it wants to reduce that fee to 1.7% to match what radio broadcasters pay for their streams. Pandora contends it is just another form of radio. BMI wants Pandora to raise its rate to 2.5%, arguing that Pandora is a more interactive form of media, and since it has no other programming like news or talk, it makes more extensive use of music than radio stations do.

Also in February, the US Copyright Office released its study, Copyright and the Music Marketplace, with recommendations on how existing music licensing laws should be updated to better reflect how people listen to music today. Among its recommendations were requiring radio stations to pay performance fees and the consolidation of rate-setting activities. Read the study at: copyright.gov/docs/musiclicensingstudy/.