ASCAP stands for  "The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers."  Along with BMI and SESAC in the United States, ASCAP monitors the public performance of songs, including air play -- such as on radio or t.v. -- collects fees from the organizations for the use of the song, and then distributes that money accordingly -- to the performer of the song as well as the copyright holders, publishers and record labels.  

This non-profit "performing rights" organization was founded February 13, 1914 at the Hotel Claridge in New York City. Some of the earliest members were Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, John Philip Sousa and Victor Herbert.

In its early days, one of the charter members, Victor Herbert (right), brought a lawsuit against Shanley's Restaurant for refusing to pay royalties. After 2 years of litigation, this lawsuit eventually went to the Supreme Court. ASCAP prevailed. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes had this to say of the decision:"If music did not pay, it would be given up. Whether it pays or not, the purpose of employing it is profit and that is enough."

ASCAP boasts a membership of 330,000 musicians and represents the world's largest music repertory with over 8.5 million copyrighted works represented.

ASCAP does not collect membership dues from its members and to join is a nominal fee.