American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
About
ASCAP is a membership association of more than 330,000 U.S. composers, songwriters, lyricists, and music publishers of every kind of music. ASCAP is the only U.S. performing rights organization created and controlled by composers, songwriters and music publishers, with a Board of Directors elected by and from the membership. BMI Charges $50 anual dues, plus application fee - that is not true. ASCAP is 100% Free after the application fee of $25.
ASCAP protects the rights of its members by licensing and distributing royalties for the non-dramatic public performances of their copyrighted works. ASCAP makes giving and obtaining permission to perform music simple for both creators and users of music.
ASCAP is home to the greatest names in American music,from Duke Ellington to Dave Matthews, from George Gershwin to Stevie Wonder, from Leonard Bernstein to Beyoncé, from Marc Anthony to Alan Jackson, from Henry Mancini to Howard Shore
ASCAP represents every kind of music. ASCAP's repertory includes pop, rock, alternative, country, R&B, rap, hip-hop, Latin, film and television music, folk, roots and blues, jazz, gospel, Christian, new age, theater and cabaret, dance, electronic, symphonic, concert, as well as many others — the entire musical spectrum.
ASCAP knows very well that there are many steps between creation and compensation; months, if not years, can pass between the creation of a song, its recording, its release, its performance, and the day when the revenues due to the writer actually arrive. Some of the many other ways in which ASCAP can help writers include workshops, showcases, our website and publications, and an exclusive, tailor-made benefits package that includes health and instrument insurance, a credit union, discounts on musical accessories, travel and much more. ASCAP is committed to nurturing music makers throughout their careers.
History of ASCAP
- See the history of ASCAP on ASCAP's official website.
What does ASCAP do?
ASCAP receives payment for public performances of songs and compositions by negotiating license fees with the users of music (radio, TV, cable, bars, clubs, restaurants, shopping malls, concert halls and promoters, web sites, airlines, orchestras, etc.) and distributing these monies to members whose works were performed on the distribution date.
There are billions of performances licensed by ASCAP each year. ASCAP is committed to paying members for these performances fairly, accurately and efficiently. ASCAP collects and distributes more money in performance royalty income than any other organization and our payment system is by far the fairest and most objective in the U.S.
Because ASCAP is owned and governed by its members, they have a strong commitment to maximizing payments to members. In most situations, you will find that ASCAP pays more than competitors over the life of a copyright.
As a condition of ASCAP membership, all writer and publisher members agree that, even in work-for-hire situations, the writer and not the employer will be paid the writer's share of ASCAP performing rights royalties. In addition, ASCAP's Articles of Association provide that, with only very limited exceptions unrelated to work-for-hire situations, writer's royalties "shall not be sold or otherwise disposed of." Hence, subject only to those very limited exceptions, ASCAP will not honor an irrevocable assignment of writer's royalties but will, notwithstanding such an assignment, pay writer's royalties only and directly to the writer member-in-interest.
ASCAP is the only performing rights organization in the U.S. created and controlled by composers, lyricists, songwriters and music publishers. The Board of Directors is made up entirely of writers and publishers elected from and by the membership every two years.
How does ASCAP pay?
Royalty checks go out eight times a year: four distributions cover performances in the United States and four cover foreign performances. ASCAP has accelerated domestic royalty payments, with writers and publishers receiving full payment approximately six months after a performance quarter. Our four foreign distributions, in February, May, August and November, also ensure that our members receive foreign royalties as quickly as possible.
ASCAP leads in securing rights for our members by actively licensing more music users and negotiating the best license fees.
ASCAP is the first U.S. performing rights organization to distribute royalties for performances on the Internet and has been a leader in licensing websites and new media. They have developed strategic alliances with leading technology companies to maintain our leadership in copyright protection in the digital world.
How does ASCAP keep track of performances?
ASCAP has developed many technological innovations that have set international standards for performance identification, such as MediaGuide, the most comprehensive and accurate performance tracking system using advanced "fingerprinting" technology.
ASCAP’s books are open to all. ASCAP is the only U.S. performing rights organization to provide full financial disclosure to our members and the public.
How can ASCAP help me?
ASCAP helps new writers. They offer a wide variety of songwriter workshops, showcase programs, scholarships, grants and awards to help writers in the early stages of their careers.
How does the distribution system work?
ASCAP’s distribution system is based on fairness and openness. All similar performances are similarly credited. The newest member is treated on the same level as the most established member. Our members are paid based on performances, not who they are. ASCAP members know how they are being paid. Royalties are determined objectively over their entire copyright life and not by discretionary voluntary payments, short-term special deals or management favoritism. Payment changes must be approved by the Board of Directors, elected by and from the membership. No changes in royalty rates are made arbitrarily without notice to the membership, as they are at other performing rights organizations.
What rights do members have in ASCAP?
ASCAP members have a voice. ASCAP is the only performing rights organization to hold an annual membership meeting during which members have the opportunity to learn about our operation from the president and staff, to ask questions and to voice concerns. ASCAP members also participate in the affairs of the Society by serving on a variety of committees, such as the Symphony and Concert Committee; Latin Music Council; Commercial, Promotional, Announcement (CPA) Advisory Committee; the Board of Review; and others.
ASCAP fights harder for your rights than any other group. ASCAP is, and has always been, the pioneer in fighting for the rights of music creators in Congress and in the courts. They lead efforts to protect our members’ rights by vigorously opposing legislation that is harmful to creators, and by initiating changes to the Copyright Law that will benefit creators. They always keep you informed of legislative matters that affect you, and they encourage your involvement in their efforts.
ASCAP is the only U.S. performing rights organization to offer a Member Card with a full-range of benefits and discounts created to make the life of the working music professional a little easier.
Joining
Joining ASCAP is a critical step in your career in music. By joining ASCAP you can begin to register your songs, collect performance royalties and take advantage of many exclusive career benefits. There is a one time, nominal processing fee of $25 to apply for ASCAP membership, but there are no annual dues. You can join as a writer or a publisher or both - the processing fee is $25 for each application. This fee is non-refundable.
Before you begin, please have the following information in hand:
Writer:
- Your Social Security Number
- Information about a work you wrote or co-wrote (e.g. title, name of the performer or artist, date it was released or performed)
Publisher:
- Choices for your publishing company name
- Information about your company (Taxpayer Identification Number, when and where it was established, stakeholders)
- Information about a work you published (e.g. title, name of the performer or artist, date it was released or performed)
As a member of ASCAP, you are invited to enjoy all of the benefits of the ASCAP Member Card.
This package of benefits, reserved exclusively for ASCAP members, is designed to make your life as a working music professional a little easier.
Your personalized Member Card is a valuable symbol of your membership in the world's leading performing rights organization. This card displays your name, member number, and year of election, as well as ASCAP's website address (www.ascap.com) and Member Services number: 1-800-952-7227 — your sources to have all of your questions answered promptly. So keep it handy and take full advantage of your ASCAP membership!
Miscellaneous
ASCAP offers a magazine to keep you updated in the world of music:
- Get your ASCAP Playback Magazine today! (Online)
- Paid subscription (Printed edition)
Associations
- Songwriters Hall of Fame/National Academy of Popular Music
Financial
- The ASCAP MasterCard Credit Card Program
- The ASCAP Platinum Plus For Business MasterCard
- USAlliance Federal Credit Union
- ASCAP Member Investment Program
Member Discount
- Subscription Program
- Discounts to over 20 major music magazines and industry resource guides.
MusicPro Insurance
- Musical Instrument Insurance
- Studio Liability Insurance
- Tour Liability Insurance
- Travel/Personal Accident Insurance
- Aflac Insurance Policies
- Long Term Care
- MusicPro Life Insurance Plan
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Coverage
- MedicalConnect1
Retail
- ASCAP Member Stationery
- ASCAP Web Tools by Nimbit
- ArtistMonitor™
- Collaborator Corner 2.0, hosted and powered by eSession
- Disc Makers
- Dupecoop
- EastWest Sound Libraries
- Garritan Personal Orchestra
- Instrumentpro.com
- Jeff Rona's Liquid Cinema
- J&R Music World
- MasterWriter
- Music Dispatch
- Musician's Friend Program
- North American Van Lines
- Official Copyright (TM) Online Filing Tools
- Sibelius Music Notation Software
- SongU.com
- Valle Music Reproduction
- Waves
Travel
- Avis Car Rentals
- Hertz Car Rental
- Choice Hotels International
© 2008 ASCAP. Used with permission.
