ASCAP

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership association representing more than 1.1 million songwriters, composers, and music publishers. Founded and governed by music creators, ASCAP is dedicated to protecting the rights of its members and ensuring they are fairly compensated for the use of their work.

ASCAP licenses a repertory of more than 20 million musical works to hundreds of thousands of businesses and organizations that use music. Its licensing network spans streaming platforms, television and radio broadcasters, satellite radio, and physical venues such as retail stores, hotels, restaurants, bars, and clubs.

The organization collects licensing fees and uses sophisticated data and processing systems to identify, match, and distribute royalties for trillions of music performances each year. ASCAP returns nearly 90 cents of every dollar collected to its members as royalties, helping creators and publishers earn income from the use of their intellectual property.

In 2024, ASCAP reported record financial results, generating $1.835 billion in revenue and making $1.696 billion available for royalty distributions to its members. The organization has also delivered sustained growth in both total revenue and royalty distributions over recent years.

Beyond licensing and royalty administration, ASCAP advocates for the rights and economic interests of music creators, promotes innovation across the music industry, and provides resources, professional support, and opportunities for its membership community.

Through its combination of music licensing, royalty administration, advocacy, and creator support, ASCAP plays a central role in the global music ecosystem—helping ensure that songwriters, composers, and publishers are recognized and compensated for the value their work creates.