American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)

What ASCAP does

ASCAP issues licenses to businesses and services that play music and then collects license fees. Those fees are pooled and distributed as royalties to members according to how often and where their works are performed. The organization monitors uses of music through a combination of reporting by licensees, digital fingerprinting and other tracking methods to determine payments. ASCAP also provides membership services, education and advocacy for creators. For information about how ASCAP protects members' copyrights, see copyright protection.

Key functions

• Granting performance licenses to broadcasters, streaming services, venues and businesses.
• Monitoring and documenting public performances of music; see methods for tracking public performances.
• Maintaining a searchable repertory of works represented by ASCAP; search tools are available at repertory resources.
• Collecting fees and distributing royalties to members.

As an example of scale, in a past reporting year (2012) ASCAP reported collecting roughly $941 million in licensing revenues and distributing about $829 million in royalties to members; those figures illustrate how licensing income is a primary funding source for member payments. For financial and annual reporting, see financial reports.

History and development

ASCAP was established by composers and publishers who sought a collective mechanism to license public use of musical works at a time when new media and mass entertainment were expanding. Over the decades ASCAP has adapted its licensing and monitoring practices to cover radio, television, digital streaming and other evolving platforms. It has also been involved in industry negotiations and occasional legal disputes over rates and licensing scope, as common among organizations that manage collective rights.

Importance and distinctions

ASCAP is one of the principal PROs in the United States; it shares the market with other organizations such as Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) and SESAC. Each PRO has different membership structures, licensing approaches and distribution formulas. ASCAP's role is significant because it centralizes licensing for many creators, simplifies access for licensees, and serves as an advocate for performance-rights interests. For specifics about royalty distributions and payments, members can consult resources on member payouts and statements at royalty information.