November - December 2002

LICENSING NEWS

ASCAP Launches a new Web-Based Tool for the Radio Industry

Vincent Candilora

RAVES is an online customer management service that enables radio stations to view up-to-date balance, billing address and license information via ASCAP's website (http://www.ascap.com/radio/licensee/). Stations are also able to email any questions or changes directly to the RAVES mailbox.

The service is password protected and stations are able to view an individual account, or if they are affiliated with a group of three or more stations, they can view a fully systematized summary page for all stations within their group.

To enroll in RAVES, an ASCAP Customer is required to log on to https://www.ascap.com/radio/licensee/ and enter their station's account number and an entry password unique for their station, which will be provided by ASCAP. They will be prompted to change the password once they access RAVES for the first time.

"ASCAP has been at the forefront of new technology, having already created software packages to assist radio stations in facilitating their on-line monthly reporting requirements," said Candilora. "We are pleased to provide our radio customers with this valuable program that is interactive, secure, fast and easy to use."

Along with RAVES, radio stations are able to submit their annual reports online, and if they qualify can pay their bills by VISA/MasterCard. Per program licensed stations can also submit their monthly music reports electronically via the Per program Account Reporting Information System (PARIS). This software was specially designed and developed by ASCAP to assist per program licensed radio stations in submitting their monthly music reports.

Top

American Bus Association, United Motorcoach Association and ASCAP Reach music Licensing Accord

Two major U.S. bus trade organizations, the American Bus Association and the United Motorcoach Association, and ASCAP have announced that they have reached agreement on rates and terms for performances of music on buses. The agreement with associations covers live and mechanical (CD's, tapes, movies on video, etc.) music performances on buses.

ABA and UMA each represent thousands of individual bus companies, ranging from the smallest firms to the largest bus lines. ASCAP has also developed a new bus license for companies that either do not belong to the trade associations or do not want to participate in the trade association program. Members of the trade associations receive a discount of more than 50% off license fees for individual bus companies. Under the agreement, both ABA and UMA each market the agreement to their members, collect fees and submit reports of licensed members, number of buses and remit payment to ASCAP. The two associations began offering the agreement to their members in May.

ASCAP Senior VP of Licensing Vincent Candilora said, "We are pleased that we were able to conclude this new agreement with ABA and UMA in a fair and equitable manner. Licensed operators of bus companies may now provide musical entertainment for passengers in accordance with the copyright law. And our writers and publishers can look forward to being compensated for performances of their music before the vast audience of bus passengers."

Victor Parra, President and CEO of UMA commented, "We trust that UMA members will take advantage of the discounted rates available through the group license we have negotiated. Our member companies take pride in ensuring the comfort and enjoyment of their passengers. Music is an additional element in making travel a pleasant experience."

Peter Pantuso, President and Chief Executive Officer of ABA said, "ASCAP's license negotiation with recognized industry associations like ABA is advantageous to our members, because collective bargaining gives us negotiating leverage."

The American Bus Association, the trade association of the intercity bus industry, represents the motorcoach industry's interests in Washington, D.C. It also facilitates relationships between North American motorcoach and tour companies and all related segments of the travel and supplier industries and promotes travel by motorcoach to consumers. ABA represents approximately 950 motorcoach and tour companies in the United States and Canada. Its members operate charter, tour, regular route, airport express, special operations and contract services (commuter, school, transit).

The United Motorcoach Association ("UMA") is North America's largest association of professional bus and motorcoach companies. Founded in 1971 as the United Bus Owners of America, UMA's membership now includes over 875 motorcoach companies. UMA serves the informational, legislative, regulatory and business needs of its member companies. Within the membership, companies range from one and two vehicles to those with many hundreds of coaches; from small tour-specific companies to those performing intercity route service, charter and tour operations on a coast-to-coast scale.

Top

ASCAP Distributes Approximately $2.36 Million in ASCAPlu$ Cash Awards

Approximately $2.36 million in cash awards for 2002-2003 has been made to writer members of ASCAP by the Society's ASCAPlu$ Awards Panels, it has been announced by ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman. The purpose of these special awards, which have been given each year since 1960, is to reward writers whose works have a unique prestige value for which adequate compensation would not otherwise be received, and to compensate those writers whose works are performed substantially in media not surveyed by ASCAP.

Commenting on the awards, Ms. Bergman said, "Since 1960, the unique ASCAPlu$ Awards program has provided deserving music creators with something meaningful and tangible in the form of recognition and money. I can attest to this personally because at an early stage of my career, I was a Special Awards recipient. As always, we are greatly indebted to each of our hard-working panelists for giving their time and effort to this important endeavor."

The members of the Popular Awards Panel are: Peter Filichia, drama critic for the (Newark) Star-Ledger; Peter Keepnews, a freelance journalist specializing in jazz and popular culture; Melinda Newman, West Coast Bureau Chief of Billboard; and Pat Prescott, veteran radio personality who currently co-hosts the morning show on KTWV ("The Wave") in Los Angeles.

The members of the Standard Awards Panel are: David Bowden, Musical Director and Conductor of three Indiana orchestras: the Columbus Philharmonic, the Terre Haute Symphony and the Carmel Symphony; Carolyn Jennings, Professor of Music at St. Olaf College; H. Robert Reynolds, Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan; Greg Sandow, music educator, composer and classical music critic for The Wall Street Journal; and Michael Morgan, Music Director of the Oakland-East Bay Symphony Orchestra.

Playback : November - December 2002
ASCAP Playback