QUICK TAKES - April 8, 2009

Three-time Academy Award-winning songwriter Marilyn Bergman announced on Tuesday her resignation as president and chairman of the board of ASCAP, the firm that collects royalties on behalf of composers and copyright owners, to pursue other projects.

Bergman, the first woman to be elected to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers board, will continue serving as a board member.

During her 15-year tenure, Bergman helped lead ASCAP to several legislative victories, including the Supreme Court’s decision in 2003 to uphold the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998, which extended copyright protection to the life of the author plus 70 years. She also played a role in the launch of an initiative aimed at bringing awareness to the rights of music creators. The board will elect a successor at its next meeting.

-- Yvonne Villarreal