Music Licensing for Public Performances
Colorado School of Mines holds contractual licenses with three performing rights organizations: Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), and the Society of European Songwriters, Artists and Composers (SESAC).
These agreements cover most public music performances on campus and at certain university-affiliated events off campus. Always check the music catalogs to confirm coverage. If the music you plan to use is not covered, or your use falls outside the scope of these licenses, you must obtain additional permission before proceeding.
What is covered under the licenses
These licenses give permission to play music at university events across all campus locations including the Rec Center, Student Center, campus store and dining facilities.
Groups and locations typically covered are:
- Faculty and staff affiliated with the university playing music at a sanctioned Mines activity or event
- Student groups affiliated with the university playing music at a sanctioned Mines activity or event
- Fraternities and Sororities affiliated with the university playing music at a sanctioned Mines activity or event
- Off-campus locations where university entities perform at a sanctioned Mines activity or event
These licenses typically do not include:
- Synchronized music in video content, recorded content, marketing videos or live-streams
- Grand rights such as full performances of musicals, plays, operas with music (requires direct licensing from the copyright holder)
- Events sponsored by a third-party, or not sanctioned by the university
- Broadcasting or telecasting
- International events (requires an additional license)
It is the responsibility of the Mines community member to check each organization’s catalog to confirm whether specific music is covered for public use. Databases are available here:
- The SONGVIEW database – search both ASCAP and BMI
- American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers – (ASCAP)
- Broadcast Music, Inc – (BMI)
- Society of European Stage Authors and Composers – (SESAC)
