Why do US venues need licenses from multiple PROs?

Why do US venues need licenses from multiple PROs?

• A. A blanket license is issued when a venue must negotiate with every rights holder.
• B. A song is only in one PRO's catalogue.
• C. The US has multiple competing PROs.
• D. One blanket license covers all rights globally.

Answer: (C)

The essential idea is that performing rights in the United States are handled by multiple independent PROs, each representing different songwriters and publishers. A venue must obtain licenses from each PRO that has works you’ll perform. Since organizations like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC operate separately and administer their own catalogs, no single blanket license covers all songs you might play. Therefore, to legally cover all performances at a venue, you typically need licenses from the PROs that represent the repertoire being performed. This is why the US has multiple competing PROs.

The essential idea is that performing rights in the United States are handled by multiple independent PROs, each representing different songwriters and publishers. A venue must obtain licenses from each PRO that has works you’ll perform. Since organizations like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC operate separately and administer their own catalogs, no single blanket license covers all songs you might play. Therefore, to legally cover all performances at a venue, you typically need licenses from the PROs that represent the repertoire being performed. This is why the US has multiple competing PROs.