The term ASCAP Alternative refers to two organizations, COHAN and BMI. COHAN is an acronym for the Composers, Authors and Publishers Association, which is a non-profit performance rights organization that protects the copyrights of songwriters, composers, and music publishers. BMI stands for Broadcast Music Incorporated, which is also a non-profit performance rights organization that collects royalties from radio, television, and other public performances of music. Both organizations provide an alternative to ASCAP, which is the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.