Appeals Court Overturns BMI's Huge Rate Hike For Live Concerts

The Federal Appeals Court has overturned a lower judge's decision to force concert promoters to pay more than double their old rate to BMI, the performing rights organization. This rate hike was set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and would have significantly increased the cost of live concerts.

The court's ruling states that the lower judge was wrong to force concert promoters to pay more than double their old rate and factor VIP packages into the fees. This decision is a significant victory for the live music industry, which has been facing increasing costs and regulations in recent years.

BMI's rate hike was met with opposition from many in the live music industry, who argued that it would be too expensive and would harm the ability of small venues and promoters to host live concerts. The court's decision is a major win for these groups and will likely have a significant impact on the live music industry.

The ruling also highlights the ongoing debate over the role of performing rights organizations like BMI in the live music industry. While BMI and other PROs argue that they are necessary to ensure that songwriters and publishers are fairly compensated for their work, many in the industry argue that their fees are too high and are stifling the growth of live music.

The decision is a significant victory for the live music industry and will likely have a major impact on the way that concerts are produced and presented in the future.

Sources

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[2] ‘Unreasonably High’: Appeals Court Overturns BMI’s Huge Rate Hike For Live Concerts
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