Get the latest gossip

ASCAP Touts Record Results, the AI ‘Threat’ and Differences With Its For-Profit Rival at Annual Meeting

At the ASCAP annual meeting, leaders Elizabeth Matthews and Paul Williams discussed their for-profit rival BMI and the "existential threat" of AI.

Williams reminded the audience that ASCAP is governed by 12 creators and 12 publishers through a board elected by members that makes decisions and sets policies with “your best interest at heart. So when ASCAP visits Capital Hill, it tells members of Congress that songwriters are like small business owners who invest in equipment to make music — so they “have earned the right to get paid and have credit” if AI is used to mimic creators and artists. Matthews pointed out the differences between her organization and BMI now that the latter is a for-profit entity, saying that after taking a reasonable reserve — and covering expenses — 90 cents of every dollar is distributed to ASCAP songwriters.

Get the Android app