ENTERTAINMENT

BMI Unveils Corporate Use Accord: Broadcast Music Inc., a performing rights organization, announced what it called the first agreement to compensate songwriters and composers when their music is used by corporations, ranging from background music to sales presentations to company-sponsored aerobics classes. Companies would pay one annual fee based on the number of their employees, thus cutting the paperwork required. The agreement only covers BMI-licensed music. BMI licensees include American Express, IBM, Microsoft and Apple Computer. Copyright law requires that songwriters and other copyright holders be compensated when their music is played in public places.