ASCAP is a performance rights organization that represents songwriters, composers, and music publishers. One of their main roles is to collect royalties for the public performance of their members’ music. This can include radio airplay, live performances, and streaming on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
But in recent years, there has been a growing concern about fake streams and inflated streaming numbers. Some artists and labels have been accused of using bots or other tactics to boost their streams and make it appear as though they have a larger audience than they actually do.
This is problematic because it can skew the data that ASCAP and other organizations use to distribute royalties. If an artist or label is falsely inflating their streaming numbers, they could be receiving more royalties than they are entitled to, while other artists who are actually more popular may be missing out on their fair share.
To combat this issue, ASCAP and other organizations are working to improve their monitoring and tracking systems. They are also encouraging transparency and honesty from their members when it comes to reporting their streaming numbers and other performance data.
Ultimately, it is in everyone’s best interest to have accurate and reliable data on music streaming and performance. This ensures that royalties are distributed fairly and that artists are rewarded based on their actual popularity and success, rather than false numbers and inflated egos.
