Independent venues and restaurants often host performances of the songs written by ASCAP members. ASCAP collects a modest fee from these entities in order to compensate songwriters, who are the ultimate small business, for their work creating the music being played in these venues.

 

Throughout the pandemic, ASCAP has worked hand in hand with both The National Independent Venue Association and The National Restaurant Association to ensure that if a venue was closed, it did not have to pay any ASCAP fees. At the same time, ASCAP also worked to support songwriters, many of whom had a significant drop in income during the pandemic as performances decreased.

 

All ASCAP licensing representatives engaged in licensee relations also undergo robust training and abide by a code of conduct that fosters an environment of collaboration. 

 

ASCAP employees must: 

• Conduct themselves lawfully and with the highest level of professionalism, honesty and integrity. ASCAP's integrity - and its reputation for integrity - is essential to ASCAP's success and music not be compromised under any circumstances. All of their business-related decisions and actions must be made in the best interest of ASCAP's members.
• Treat licensees, prospective licensees and others representing licensees with courtesy and respect.
• Exhibit professionalism in their demeanor, and in all of their written and verbal communications.
• Provide factual information in order to educate licensees and prospective licensees as to the need to obtain permission to use copyrighted music and they may use examples and/or analogies when appropriate.
• Encourage music users to comply with their obligations under the U.S. Copyright Law by communicating the advantages to using music in a lawful manner.
• Comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations and with ASCAP's Consent Decree (the Second Amended Final Judgment entered in United States v. ASCAP).
• Approach licensees and prospective licensees courteously, respectfully and professionally.
• Follow up when reasonably appropriate to encourage licensees to comply with the law.
• Listen to and acknowledge objections and answer questions.
• Offer ways to finalize a license agreement.
• If asked by a licensee or a potential licensee to refrain from contacting them, cease contacting such licensee by phone and/or email and escalate the matter to the appropriate manager.