Final answer:
ASCAP was established to protect copyright interests of composers and authors by monitoring performances and ensuring fair compensation for the use of their work.
Step-by-step explanation:
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) was formed in 1914 to protect the copyright interests of its members by monitoring public performances of their work, to ensure they receive fair compensation.
Copyright is a form of legal protection that helps prevent unauthorized copying, especially for commercial purposes, of original works of authorship, which includes literature, music, and various forms of artistic creations.
ASCAP fulfills this protective role by licensing establishments and entities that wish to publicly perform music created by its members. By doing so, it assists in managing the performance rights and facilitates the collection and distribution of royalties.