Making the Most of Your ASCAP Membership
ASCAP OnStage, the latest addition to the ASCAP public performance survey, is a new program that provides ASCAP members an opportunity to receive royalties each and every time their music is performed live at an ASCAP-licensed venue.
ASCAP OnStage FAQ
ASCAP OnStage, the latest addition to the ASCAP public performance survey, is a new program that provides ASCAP members an opportunity to receive royalties each and every time their music is performed live at an ASCAP-licensed venue.
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.
ASCAP Payment System
ASCAP licenses tens of thousands of music users, such as these, that do not fall into the ASCAP surveys. The monies collected from these establishments goes into a general licensing fund and is paid out to members on the basis of feature performances on radio and all surveyed performances on television.
Direct Deposit and Royalty Thresholds
For purposes of processing and paying out on performances, ASCAP divides the year into three-month periods, or performance quarters. ASCAP pays its members for U.S. performances approximately 6-7 months after the end of each three-month performance quarter.
This information is designed to provide only an introduction to estate planning. It should not be taken as an exhaustive treatise on this large and complicated subject. It should also be understood that ASCAP is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services with respect to estate planning.
Links to downloadable documents that govern ASCAP and its relationship with its membership.
Update On New Media Rights Withdrawal
In 2011, ASCAP’s Board of Directors adopted amendments to ASCAP’s Rules and Regulations to permit an eligible member to modify the member’s grant of licensing rights to ASCAP by withdrawing from ASCAP the right to license certain “New Media Transmissions.” Recently, the Board adopted further amendments.
ASCAP PLUS is an awards program that provides cash and recognition to active writers in the early and mid stages of their careers, and established writers whose main activity is outside of broadcast media.
Change of Address for ASCAP Members
Statement Guides
ASCAP is happy to introduce improved Domestic and International Performance Statements. We hope you find the new statement design more informative. We have created easy to read fonts, added line numbers and page numbers and improved line shading. These statements also offer more high level summary information about your performances and payments you
may be making to third parties.
International Royalties Tax Reporting Guide
If you receive International royalties, ASCAP provides you with information that should reduce your taxes. Specifically, the royalties reported on your Form 1099, Statement of Miscellaneous Income, have been "grossed up" to include taxes withheld by foreign affiliated societies, so you can claim them as a foreign tax credit or deduction.
Distribution Communications
In addition to performance statements, ASCAP communicates important information in each quarterly distribution. This can include correspondence from ASCAP’s President Paul Williams, as well as news about improved ASCAP services, upcoming ASCAP Events and up-to-the-minute member benefits.