1914day.year
Copyright: In New York City the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers is established to protect the copyrighted musical compositions of its members.
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) was founded on February 13, 1914, to safeguard musicians’ and writers’ performance rights.
Concerned by unauthorized performances of their work in theaters and clubs, composer Victor Herbert and his colleagues established ASCAP in New York City. The organization introduced a licensing system to collect royalties on public performances, ensuring creators received fair compensation. ASCAP negotiated with venues, broadcasters and publishers, setting precedents for performance rights enforcement. Its success inspired similar societies around the world and shaped the global music industry’s economic model. Over time, ASCAP expanded its membership to include songwriters, lyricists and music publishers across genres.
1914
Copyright
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers