Welcome to the official site of 

the National Clogging Organization! 

BMI & ASCAP Frequently Asked Questions
Complete and return the Declarations Page with your fee to obtain your licenses.

 

Q: WHAT ARE BMI and ASCAP?
A: BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) & ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers) are the licensing organizations which were founded so that the creators of music receive royalties for the public performances of their works.

 

Q: WHO NEEDS A BMI/ASCAP/SESAC LICENSE?
A: Any user of music who plays copyrighted musical works in public, and whose performances are not specifically exempt under the law, requires a license from BMI/ASCAP/SESAC or the licensing organization whose works the user wishes to perform. As a clogging instructor, licenses are needed from BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC to cover the music played at your classes, workshops, exhibitions, competitions, and dances throughout the year.

 

Q: WHY SHOULD I GO THROUGH CLOG TO GET MY LICENSE?
A: BMI/ASCAP negotiate their fees with users who are often represented by national associations, like the National Association of Broadcasters. CLOG, Inc. has negotiated with BMI/ASCAP/SESAC on behalf of cloggers and is proud to offer members fair and equitable licensing rates.  CLOG, Inc. receives NO COMMISSION for the licenses purchased by its members.

 

Q: HOW DO I GO ABOUT OBTAINING MY LICENSE THROUGH CLOG?
A: By joining CLOG, you can access the low group rates for BMI/ASCAP/SESAC licenses.  CLOG Membership is only $30.00 per year for US residents.  Members just need to complete the application and forward with the appropriate licensing fees.   We certainly hope all of you will join and support the organization.  You must be a member of CLOG to be eligible for licensing by BMI/ASCAP/SESAC at these discounted rates.

 

Complete and return the Declarations Page with your fee to obtain your licenses.

 

Q: If I have licenses with ASCAP and/or BMI, why do I need a license with SESAC?

A: SESAC, ASCAP, and BMI are three separate and distinct Performing Rights Organizations (PRO).  Each organization represents different songwriters, composers, publishers and copyright holders, and each organization licenses only the copyrighted works of its own respective affiliated copyright holders. Licenses with ASCAP and BMI do NOT grant you authorization for the right to use the copyrighted music of SESAC represented songwriters, composers, publishers or copyright holders.

Since a license with ASCAP and/or BMI does not grant authorization to play songs in the SESAC repertory, most businesses obtain licenses with SESAC, ASCAP and BMI to obtain proper copyright clearance for virtually all of the copyrighted music in the world.

 

 

EXCERPTS PARAPHRASED FROM THE BMI/ASCAP LICENSE AGREEMENTS:

A. DEFINITIONS:

  • "Licensed Premises" - Shall mean any place at which those instructors, who are members of CLOG, conduct classes, workshops, exhibitions, competitions and regular club dances.

  • "Active Member" - Shall mean a person who conducts one or more of the above defined activities.

  • "Workshops" - Shall mean educational classes for experienced dancers.