BMI only licenses performing rights, and only non-dramatic performing rights at that. BMI Doesn't License Mechanical and Synchronization Rights Songwriters and publishers also receive payments from mechanical licenses. A mechanical license is written permission from the publisher to manufacture and distribute a record, CD or audio tape for a specific copyrighted composition. The amount of the royalty paid to a songwriter from a mechanical license is determined by how many recordings are sold. BMI does not license such things as the making of phonograph records or the printing of sheet music.
Synchronization licenses are another potential source of income for songwriters and publishers.
BMI does not offer synchronization licenses. The producer of the audiovisual production usually requests a synchronization license from the song publisher. These rights are administered and licensed by the publisher who accounts directly to the writer. BMI represents music publishers, but BMI is not itself a publisher. You may learn more about mechanical and synchronization licenses on the web site of the National Music Publishers Association .