# American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers

> non-profit performance-rights organization

**Wikidata**: [Q373087](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q373087)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Society_of_Composers,_Authors_and_Publishers)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/american-society-of-composers-authors-and-publishers

## Summary

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers is a nonprofit organization. It was founded in 1914[1] and maintains its headquarters in the United States. The organization was established by Victor Herbert, Irving Berlin, Louis Hirsch, Raymond Hubbell, and Gustave Kerker.

## Summary
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a nonprofit performance-rights organization founded in 1914 that collects and distributes royalties for music creators. It serves as a collective rights management platform for composers, songwriters, and music publishers, ensuring they receive compensation for their works being performed publicly. ASCAP is a key player in the global music industry, representing millions of members and managing a vast repertoire of copyrighted music.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1914 in New York City
- Headquartered in New York City, United States
- Member of the Confédération Internationale des Sociétés d'Auteurs et Compositeurs (CISAC)
- Represents composers, songwriters, and music publishers
- Manages a vast repertoire of copyrighted music
- Collects and distributes royalties for public performances
- Founded by Victor Herbert, Irving Berlin, Gustave Kerker, Glen MacDonough, and Jean Schwartz
- Official website: [www.ascap.com](https://www.ascap.com/)
- Member of the United States
- Instance of nonprofit organization, copyright collective, and business
- Has sitelinks in 29 languages
- Wikipedia title: American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
- Wikidata description: non-profit performance-rights organization

## FAQs
**What is the purpose of ASCAP?**
ASCAP is a nonprofit organization that collects and distributes royalties for music creators, ensuring they receive compensation for their works being performed publicly. It serves as a collective rights management platform for composers, songwriters, and music publishers.

**How does ASCAP collect royalties?**
ASCAP collects royalties by monitoring public performances of its members' works and distributing the earnings accordingly. It operates as a performance-rights organization, ensuring creators are compensated for their contributions to the music industry.

**What types of members does ASCAP represent?**
ASCAP represents composers, songwriters, and music publishers. It serves as a collective rights management platform for these creators, ensuring they receive proper compensation for their works being performed publicly.

**How does ASCAP differ from other performance-rights organizations?**
ASCAP is one of several performance-rights organizations, but it is distinct in its role as a nonprofit collective rights management platform. It focuses on composers, songwriters, and music publishers, ensuring they receive fair compensation for their works being performed publicly.

**What is the history of ASCAP?**
ASCAP was founded in 1914 in New York City by Victor Herbert, Irving Berlin, Gustave Kerker, Glen MacDonough, and Jean Schwartz. It has since grown into a key player in the global music industry, representing millions of members and managing a vast repertoire of copyrighted music.

## Why It Matters
ASCAP plays a crucial role in the music industry by ensuring composers, songwriters, and music publishers receive fair compensation for their works being performed publicly. As a nonprofit performance-rights organization, it serves as a collective rights management platform, collecting and distributing royalties to its members. ASCAP's influence extends globally, representing millions of creators and managing a vast repertoire of copyrighted music. Its role in the industry is essential for maintaining a sustainable ecosystem for music creators, ensuring they are properly compensated for their contributions.

## Notable For
- Being a founding member of the Confédération Internationale des Sociétés d'Auteurs et Compositeurs (CISAC)
- Representing composers, songwriters, and music publishers
- Managing a vast repertoire of copyrighted music
- Collecting and distributing royalties for public performances
- Serving as a collective rights management platform for music creators
- Having a significant presence in the global music industry
- Ensuring fair compensation for music creators
- Operating as a nonprofit organization

## Body

### History
ASCAP was founded in 1914 in New York City by Victor Herbert, Irving Berlin, Gustave Kerker, Glen MacDonough, and Jean Schwartz. It was established as a nonprofit organization to collect and distribute royalties for music creators, ensuring they received compensation for their works being performed publicly. Since its inception, ASCAP has grown into a key player in the global music industry, representing millions of members and managing a vast repertoire of copyrighted music.

### Structure and Operation
ASCAP operates as a collective rights management platform, representing composers, songwriters, and music publishers. It collects and distributes royalties for public performances of its members' works, ensuring they receive fair compensation. The organization is structured to manage a vast repertoire of copyrighted music, covering a wide range of genres and styles.

### Membership and Representation
ASCAP represents a diverse range of music creators, including composers, songwriters, and music publishers. It serves as a collective rights management platform, ensuring that these creators receive proper compensation for their works being performed publicly. The organization's membership includes individuals and entities from various backgrounds and genres, reflecting the broad scope of the music industry.

### Global Influence
ASCAP has a significant presence in the global music industry, representing millions of creators and managing a vast repertoire of copyrighted music. It operates as a nonprofit organization, ensuring that its members receive fair compensation for their contributions. ASCAP's influence extends beyond the United States, with a presence in various international markets.

### Related Entities
ASCAP is affiliated with several key figures in the music industry, including Victor Herbert, Irving Berlin, Gustave Kerker, Glen MacDonough, and Jean Schwartz. These individuals played significant roles in the organization's founding and have contributed to its development. ASCAP is also a member of the Confédération Internationale des Sociétés d'Auteurs et Compositeurs (CISAC), further solidifying its position as a key player in the global music industry.

### Digital Presence
ASCAP maintains a strong digital presence, with its official website providing information on its services, membership, and repertoire. The organization also has a presence on various social media platforms, allowing it to engage with its members and the broader music community. ASCAP's digital footprint includes its official website, social media accounts, and other online resources.

### Awards and Recognition
ASCAP has received recognition for its contributions to the music industry, including awards and accolades from various organizations. Its role in ensuring fair compensation for music creators has been acknowledged, further solidifying its position as a key player in the industry. ASCAP's commitment to its members and the broader music community has earned it widespread respect and admiration.

### Future Outlook
Looking ahead, ASCAP continues to play a crucial role in the music industry, ensuring that composers, songwriters, and music publishers receive fair compensation for their works being performed publicly. The organization's commitment to its members and the broader music community is unwavering, and it is poised to continue its growth and influence in the years to come.

## References

1. [GRID](https://www.grid.ac/institutes/grid.478403.c)
2. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20231018113749/https://members.cisac.org/CisacPortal/annuaire.do?method=membersDirectoryList&by=society)
3. Global LEI Index
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. CiNii Research
6. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20250116160745/https://copyrightalliance.org/about/who-we-represent/)
7. Library of Congress Authorities
8. ROR release v1.19
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. MusicBrainz
11. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
12. GRID Release 2017-04-04
13. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
14. YouTube API