American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership organization that represents songwriters, composers, and music publishers. Its main role is to collect license fees from businesses that play music, such as radio stations, restaurants, and streaming services. These fees are then distributed to its members as royalties, ensuring that creators are compensated for their work. ASCAP helps protect the rights of music creators, enabling them to earn a living from their artistic contributions while promoting the importance of music in society.