The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers is an American non-profit performance-rights organization (PRO) that protects its members musical copyrights by monitoring public performances of their music, whether via a broadcast or live performance, and compensating them accordingly. ASCAP honors its top members in a series of annual awards shows in seven different music categories: pop, rhythm and soul, film and television, Latin, country, Christian, and concert music. Awards are presented through a vote online that makes up 50% of the judging criteria. Other 50% came from different music critics. Beyoncé has received 54 awards from the company.