Music Business 101

Miscellaneous Membership Issues: Copyright

A copyright owner has a number of different exclusive rights contained within a single copyright (often referred to as a “bundle of rights”). One of those exclusive rights is the ‘Performance Right’ or the right to “perform the copyrighted work publicly.” See the U.S. Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C § 106(4). ASCAP licenses the non-dramatic public performance right of its members’ works to music users for a fee and distributes the license fees received as royalties to ASCAP members.

For more information about music licensing, please visit our Licensing FAQ. For more information about copyright, please visit the U.S. Copyright Office’s website at http://www.copyright.gov. If you have any questions or concerns about your copyrights, you should consult an experienced attorney.

Latest News

Sundance ASCAP Music Café Returns to 2021 Virtual Festival With New Talent Added Including Café Performances From Mikel Jollett (Airborne Toxic Event), Pedrito Martinez, Time For Three and Hailey Whitters; an Interview With Ron and Russell Mael (SPARKS) and The Sparks Brothers Director Edgar Wright Plus Video Exclusives From the Café Archives

The 23rd annual event will take place in the online Sundance Film Festival Village from January 29 - February 1.

Sundance 2021 Composer Spotlight: Barrett Slagle

Barrett Slagle is a Los Angeles based composer. With a background in music production, sound design and songwriting he is interested in blurring the line between music and sound design to breathe life into the visuals and bind the entire picture together. Notable clients include Disney, Netflix, AMC, Katy Perry, A$AP Rocky, SYFY and a handful of short films with awards at Sundance, OTTAWA, SXSW and more.

Sundance 2021 Composer Spotlight: Arnaud van Vliet

Arnaud van Vliet is a composer and performing musician living in Johannesburg, South Africa. Although he is trained as a classical guitarist his music spans a broad range of styles. He has been involved as a producer, arranger and performer on a number of studio albums and his guitar playing features on many South African television, film and documentary soundtracks.