What an exciting time it is to be alive. The members of the board of
the Future of Music Coalition have spent the past month waking every morning
to the alarm of possibility and drifting off into the pleasant buzz of
inevitable change. If you've been alive in the music/technology space
for the past month you know for yourself how much is happening. So let's
just get right into it...
Policy Conference for The Future of Music
Come to the Future! Future of Music Policy Conference January 10-11,
2001 Georgetown University, Washington, DC. Sign
up on the web - now!
The Future of Music Policy Conference is really happening! Every
day we confirm more panelists, sign up more expo participants and
add another tier and layer of icing to the most delicious and nutritious
music/technology conference cake out there.
We're already holding places for 150 of you without having sent out
a list of panelists and naming even one star speaker, which makes
us think there are great numbers of us out here who are desperate
to see these questions reframed with a clear-eyed focus on the effect
of music/technology on musicians.
Don't be left behind! Make sure you're there in the balcony to witness
the fireworks when Music and Technology come together here in the
presence of this community to commit to honor, love and cherish The
Artist (formerly known as the devalued laborer). Visit the link above
to learn more about the event, view a list of confirmed panelists,
and register.
a) 1.9.2001 Pho Event and Pho Dinner:
Make sure you get to DC the day before the Policy Conference so you
can warm up with a discussion that will be organized by The Pho Debates
(info@phodebates.org). After
that heated discussion prepare to cool off with a Vietnamese iced
coffee or keep the evening spicy with an extra handful of chilis in
the soup at a local Pho restaurant and watering hole.
If you plan arrive early for this, we suggest you register to stay
at the Key Bridge Marriott which is within walking distance of the
Pho restaurant and a 1O-minute free shuttlebus to the Georgetown University
campus. Your Pho-me away from home. To get the lowest hotel rate 1)
click on the event link above 2) click on the hotel link of your choice
3) click "Reservations, Rates, Availability" 4) enter FMCFMCA
in the "group code" box near the bottom of the screen.
b) Concerts Both Nights:
It wasn't enough to drench the debates with DJs and live performance...no,
we had to make sure there would be performances every night. Details
forthcoming.
c) First Meetings of Legal and Technology Councils:
Talking about change is the first step but we understand we will need
new tools to enact change. We can't think of two better tools than
the focused knowledge of lawyers and programmers working together
to guard the value of artistic labor in a dynamic pro-technology environment.
Exchanging SoundExchange for Something that Really Fits
It has come to our attention that the Recording Industry Association
of America (RIAA), is forming a pool under the title SoundExchange
to collect royalties from webcasters who stream music. The Coalition
for the Future of Music has grave concerns about the RIAA's capacity
to act impartially considering the fact that the organization does
not speak for the entire music industry and is largely funded by (and
solely represents) the interests of the five major record labels.
Considering these clear conflicts of interest and the money at stake
we are prepared to contest their position on the formal launch of
SoundExchange.
In the meantime we are beginning to gather names of artists who
would prefer to have their digital royalties collected and distributed
through an independent impartial organization. Take a second to register
a vote of non-confidence for SoundExchange and post this link where
musicians who are looking for a better system congregate. The FMC
will believe the RIAA has the best interest of musicians at heart
when they fork over the money they made from the MP3.com settlement
to the artists whose work they argued was devalued by mymp3.com.
Traveling, Publishing and Evangelizing: What we're up to lately
Jenny Toomey, Executive Director
When Jenny hasn't been traveling to Portland, New York, and LA to
work on Future of Music issues and spread the good word, she has been
eating, sleeping, and drinking the Future
of Music Policy Conference (not necessarily in that order).
Jenny recently argued for the artist's voice in the music/technology
debate at the DC Bar Association and on the Diane Rehm Show on NPR-affiliate
WAMU where she had to face not only a lot of lawyers in general, but
one in specific, David Kendall who represented President Clinton in
that little domestic thingy. Curious how she did? It's archived in
the News section of the FMC site.
Michael Bracy, Director of Government Relations
As the Congressional session winds down and the election approaches,
Michael has continued to keep a close eye on legislation and regulations
that could impact the music space. While not directly related to technology,
the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and National Public
Radio (NPR) are putting on the proverbial full-court press to get
the FCC's Low Power FM Radio initiative overturned or gutted in the
Appropriations process.
This strategy has far-reaching implications for the ability of corporate
interests to overturn the results of a lengthy public process held
by an expert independent agency -- without even the benefit of floor
debate or public hearings in the Senate.
We are also watching the AOL/Time Warner merger review and legislative
developments like the MP3.com bill introduced by Rep. Boucher. This
all sets the stage both for our January policy conference and a flurry
of activity with the new administration and congress. Finally, we
are in the last stages of submitting our paperwork to the IRS which
will clarify our 501c-3 status.
Brian Zisk, Technology Director
Brian has been promoting the Future of Music Coalition both online
and off. His recent participation as moderator on the "What's
Left of The Dial?: The State of Internet Radio" panel at the
NXNW conference led to a very interesting exchange with Chris Douridas
of Spinner in which Chris explained that AOL had not signed the Statutory
Webcast Licensing Agreement. If this is true, it has broad implications
as to how large corporations can leverage their assets to attempt
to exempt themselves from the democratically established process in
order to cut sweeter deals.
Brian has also been working to visualize new business models, and
has been following the "Hack SDMI" effort as well as the
splitting between commercial entities and technologies, as exemplified
by the RIAA making an issue of whether it's relevant that a substantial
non-infringing use for a technology be commercially viable. He is
pulling together a technical board of directors, and has contributed
to the direction which the panels will be taking in January.
Walter McDonough, Legal Director
Walter has continued his research into the history of United States
and European Economic Community (EEC) copyright law as it relates
to digital music distribution. In addition to filing remarks on the
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), the FMC will be involved
in all legal proceedings involving these issues. All attorneys, law
students and members of the music and technology communities are invited
to volunteer or offer their ideas as to the FMC policy initiatives
in these areas.
Kristin Thomson
In the past month, Kristin Thomson has been editing and drafting articles
for the Machine, as well as doing research about current and upcoming
legislation that will impact the independent music community. In the
next few months, Kristin will be assisting the Coalition with planning
and logistics for the Policy Conference.
Peter DiCola
Peter has finished his economic analysis of online tip jars. It will
be posted ASAP on the Machine,
along with an interview with Matt Goyer of Fairtunes.com. Next up
on his research agenda is an article about media merger mania and
the effects of having a few large corporations control most of the
nation's and world's media, with an eye towards evaluating this trend's
effect on artists and the music industry.
New Imperatives to Document our Numbers
If you haven't read and signed the manifesto
please do so. It is imperative that we document the large number of
musicians, programmers and music fans whose pro-technology/pro-compensation
perspective is not being represented. Tell your friends, link us to
your sites, and spread the good word!
Press
We've had a lot of Ink and Bytes in the last month including quotes
in CNet and CMJ and Jenny's interview on NPR's Diane Rehm show. If
you've got an hour or so, watch the excellent Berkman Center debate
between Motion Picture Association of America head Jack Valenti and
renowned cyberlaw expert Lawrence Lessig. At the end of the discussion,
our very own Walter McDonough asks one of the most important questions
of the evening only to be side-stepped by Jumpin' Jack.
Original Research & Articles
"Voluntary Contributions, Auto-magically: An interview with
Matt Goyer of Fairtunes.com" by Peter DiCola http://www.insound.com/machine/essay.cfm?id=49
Hey, can you spare a dollar? What if I told you it was for Bono? Shellac?
No? Well, what if you'd been downloading MP3s over your phone line
for the last 17 hours? What if I told you that you could use your
credit card online to transmit that dollar? And what if I really laid
down the guilt trip, and said that these musicians couldn't continue
to create without your voluntary contribution? Then it might start
to make sense. Fairtunes is a new company dedicated to facilitating
such contributions from fans to artists. Their goal is to make it
really easy to compensate artists for their work. It's an idealistic
solution to a difficult economic problem. Before you say "that'd
never work," see what Fairtunes founder Matt Goyer had to say.
"Orange Alley and BootLegal: Are they making it legal to
bootleg?" by Jenny Toomey http://www.insound.com/machine/essay.cfm?id=48
Jenny Toomey interviews Orange Alley's CEO, Mark Erickson, about "solving"
the Napster problem and the benefits of their new Bootleg program
which facilitates file sharing and has a built-in structure of incentives.
"Napster Doubled my Traffic: an Interview with Scott Ross
from Moonshine Music" by Andrew Webster http://www.insound.com/machine/essay.cfm?id=47
"We're trying to treat the tech sector as friends also. I'm very
supportive of them. And that's part of why our RIAA statement is up
there. I've got very different interests in this than them major labels
do. It's great for me. Like I said, I've got more to gain, and less
to lose."- Scott Ross, Moonshine music.
"People Used to Pay For This Stuff? Teenagers Talk About
Music, the Internet, and their Beloved Napster" by Peter DiCola http://www.insound.com/machine/essay.cfm?id=46
Teenagers' perspectives on what music they like, how they want to
acquire music, and what they think about Napster, has been the subject
of a little bit of research and a lot more speculation.
How are we doing?
If you have any feedback, questions, or suggestions please send an
email to suggestions@futureofmusic.org,
and let us know how we're doing.
Public Enemy Frontman, Production Team and Insiders Discuss Landmark Album On July 17, FMC and Pitchfork Music Festival will host a free discussion about Public Enemy's It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back at Chicago's Cultural Center, featuring Chuck D, members of PE's production team and music media experts.
July 8, 2008 Press release | Event Page
FMC Files Brief to Protect Creative Expression
FMC and the Center for Creative Voices in Media filed a brief at the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that the FCC's indecency policy has a chilling effect on creativity and expression and deprives the public of access to protected speech.
July 2, 2008 Press release | Indecency amicus brief (PDF)
Wilco, Bright Eyes, Aimee Mann & more "Rock the Net" on Compilation CD
Thirsty Ear Recordings to release album on July 29 to benefit FMC's "Rock the Net" campaign for net neutrality.
June 2, 2008 Press release | Rock the Net
Musicians Get the Hint About Health Insurance
Two Raleigh concerts in memory of musician Drew Glackin; proceeds go to Glackin’s family and Future of Music Coalition’s Health Insurance Navigation Tool
April 10, 2008 Press release FMC's HINT program
New York State Music Education Events Examine Crucial Issues Facing Artists Forums in Rochester (April 28), Syracuse (April 29) and Albany (April 30) to focus on music, media, technology and policy issues for songwriters, composers and performers from all genres.
March 25, 2008 Event details | RSVP
Pop Rockers OK Go "Tour" Congress in Support of Net Neutrality
Damian Kulash and Andy Ross discuss the importance of open Internet structures to musicians; Kulash testifies before House Judiciary Committee.
March 13, 2008 Press release
Spoken testimony
Written testimony
Rock the Net
New York State Music Education Events Examine Crucial Issues Facing Artists Kick-off forum in Buffalo on April 2 to focus on music, media, technology and policy issues for songwriters, composers and performers from all genres. March 7, 2008 | Event details
Philly Bands Rocking for Net Neutrality February 23 Sugar Town show at Tritone in Philadelphia will showcase lady rockers and DJs, as well as musicians' support for net neutrality. February 15, 2008
OK Go and Bonerama Rocked DC for New Orleans Musicians Bands also champion FMC's "Rock the Net" campaign for net neutrality February 2 benefit show at DC's 9:30 Club raised over $8,000 for New Orleans musicians. Bands played cuts off their new benefit EP, You're Not Alone, available on iTunes on February 5. February 4, 2008
Upcoming Washington, DC show and benefit EP from OK Go & Bonerama
On February 2, OK Go and Bonerama will play a benefit at D.C.'s 9:30 Club in support of You're Not Alone - an EP to support Sweet Home New Orleans and Al "Carnival Time" Johnson. January 21, 2008
Successful New Orleans Concerts Aid Big Easy Musicians
Last week, two benefit concerts raised over $6,000 for Sweet Home New Orleans - a coalition of non-profit organizations that helps find affordable housing and provides rental assistance for the city's musicians - and Big Easy music legend Al "Carnival Time" Johnson.
January 15, 2008 Press release | Event details
Ann Chaitovitz Appointed
FMC's New Executive Director A proven leader in musician and public policy issues, Chaitovitz replaces founding Executive Director Jenny Toomey January 3, 2008
Concerts for New Orleans Musicians Bring Artists Together Two New Orleans shows and upcoming benefit CD from OK Go and Bonerama January 2, 2008
FMC's Jenny Toomey Appointed Program Officer for Ford Foundation
Kristin Thomson to Serve as FMC’s Interim Executive Director Michael Bracy to Chair FMC Board of Directors November 26, 2007
Seattle "Rocked the Net" Rep. Jay Inslee advocated network neutrality;
joined by rocker Matt Nathanson, Reclaim the Media, FMC and local music business representatives October 31, 2007
Rock the Net: Campaign for Net Neutrality Rocks Seattle
Teleconference with Rep Jay Inslee on Tuesday, Oct 30. Matt Nathanson performs at Seattle’s Crocodile Café on Tuesday, Oct. 30 October 26, 2007
Future of Music Policy Summit to Tackle Critical Issues at the Intersection of Music, Law, Technology and Policy Sen. Byron Dorgan and Sen. Ron Wyden to Deliver Keynote Addresses
Mac McCaughan, Bob Mould, Marybeth Peters of the U.S. Copyright Office and More Than 90 Other Panelists Confirmed. September 10, 2007 Summit home page Press Credentialing
AT&T's muting of bands points toward a pattern of silencing political speech Content monitor did not edit out 20 instances of curse words during Pearl Jam webcast, despite AT&T claim it hires monitors to block "excessive profanity". August 13, 2007
Top musicians, lawyers, technologists confirmed for FMC's 7th annual Policy Summit August 13, 2007 Press Release Summit home page Press Credentialing
FMC Statement on AT&T Silencing Pearl Jam's lyrics during Lollapalooza webcast August 9, 2007
FMC Statement on Federal Trade Commission Report on Net Neutrality June 29, 2007
FMC files testimony with House Small Business Committee on CRB Webcasting Rates June 27, 2007 Press Release | Testimony
Clear Channel strips local, independent artists of digital performance royalties
FMC has discovered that Clear Channel's online application for local and independent artists to submit their music for airplay on each of its stations requires the artist to approve a licensing agreement that does away with their digital performance right. June 22, 2007
Low Power Radio Gets New Push in Congress
Congress introduces bills to create hundreds of new low power FM radio stations to cities and suburbs across the country. June 22, 2007
FMC Announces Dates for 7th annual Policy Summit
September 17-18, 2007
GWU Betts Theatre, Washington, DC June 11, 2007
FMC Organizes "Musicians Bringing Musicians Home II"
A Benefit Concert on May 27 at New Orleans' Tipitina's for Sweet Home New Orleans featuring: Indigo Girls, Damian Kulash of OK Go, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, Matt Nathanson, Pamela Z...and special guests
May 23, 2007 Press Release | Details
Congressman Mike Doyle to address conference on music, law and technology
May 2 event will bring together leading experts from worlds of music, law, technology and policy. April 25, 2007
A2IM Endorses Rock the Net Campaign
American Association of Independent Music urges its label members to join the campaign for network neutrality. April 17, 2007
Music Mashes with Policy at upcoming Technology and IP Policy Day
May 2 event will bring together leading experts from worlds of music, law, technology and policy. April 16, 2007
FMC Applauds FCC's Payola Settlement
Payola agreement by FCC and big broadcast chains represents a major - but tentative - step toward once again opening the nation's airwaves to local music and voices. April 13, 2007
Rep. Edward Markey, Ted Leo kick off "Rock the Net"
Nearly 150 artists and labels have already signed onto campaign for net neutrality
March 27, 2007 Press Release | Rock the Net
Major Artists To Join Launch of Rock the Net Campaign for Net Neutrality March 23, 2007
FMC Statement on FCC's "Rules of Engagement" On Payola March 5, 2007
FMC Files Reply Comments in FCC Media Ownership Proceeding January 16, 2007
FMC Statement on FCC Payola Settlement
FMC's statement on FCC's reported consent decree with the broadcast industry in regards to payola. January 16, 2007
Radio Station Ownership Consolidation Shown to Harm Musicians and the Public
FMC study shows that the rapid consolidation of the commercial radio industry that followed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 has led to a loss of localism, less competition, fewer viewpoints and less diversity in radio programming in media markets across the country.
December 13, 2006 Press release Report details
FMC Organizes Musicians Bringing Musicians Home Benefit concert at New Orleans' Tipitina's on November 6th featuring Steve Earle, Mike Mills, Allison Moorer, Tom Morello, Boots Riley, Corin Tucker and special guests.
October 23, 2006 Read press release Read press coverage
Job
Losses Associated with Radio Consolidation Undermine Localism and Diversity FMC, Newspaper Guild and Consumers Union urge FCC to take employment effects
of their policies into account during upcoming review of media ownership rules August 9, 2006
FMC Releases Research on Employment and Wage Effects of Radio Consolidaton August 9, 2006
FMC on Preserving the Dynamism of the Internet Opinion Piece on ABC News June 29, 2006
FMC Statement on Senate Commerce Committee Vote in Support of LPFM June 28, 2006
FMC Statement on FCC Media Ownership Proceeding June 21, 2006
Indie-rock revolution, fueled by net neutrality Op-ed by FMC's Jenny Toomey and Michael Bracy June 13, 2006
Pearl Jam Donation To Help Musicians Help Themselves Proceeds From Washington, DC Appearance to be Donated to FMC Artist Research
Council May 25, 2006 Press Release
FMC signs on letter to preserve net neutrality May 17, 2006
FMC Announces Dates for Sixth Annual Future of Music Policy Summit
October 5-7, 2006 Media Advisory May 15, 2006
FMC Statement on Release of Feingold's Radio and Concert Disclosure
and Competition Act of 2005 November 18, 2005
FMC Sends Letter to Senate Commerce Committee in Support of a
Public Performance Right for Sound Recordings October 19, 2005
Top Names in Music, Law, Technology and Policy Return to Debate Critical
Issues at Fifth Annual Future of Music Policy Summit
September 6, 2005 Media Advisory | Policy
Summit home page
FMC Announces Health Insurance Navigation Tool
August 9, 2005 HINT Home Page
FMC Press Release: Music Mashes with Policy at DC Policy Day April 8, 2005
FMC's Michael Bracy Testifies in front
of House Judiciary Committee on "Digital Music Interoperability" April 6, 2005
FMC files comments at US Copyright Office on "Orphan
Works"
Comments also ask Copyright
Office to consider status of out-of-print recordings March 25, 2005
FMC Sends Letter to Senate Stating Concerns about S 193, Broadcast Decency Enforcement
Act March
10, 2005
FMC and artist groups file joint reply comments at FCC on localism in broadcasting,
MB Docket 04-233
January
3, 2005 PDF of document
