The Future of Music Coalition and Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts
(WALA) are pleased to present the Future of Music Policy Summit, January
7-8, 2002 at to Georgetown University's Gaston Hall. Go here
for all the details.
NEWLY CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE: Krist Novoselic of Nirvana and
Jampac, Amy Ray of The Indigo Girls and Daemon Records, CA State Senator
Kevin Murray, Hilary Rosen of the RIAA, with more confirming every day.
As ever it is our goal to bring many of the best and the brightest people
working in music and technology to Washington, DC to discuss the most
critical music/tech issues impacting our community. Both days' events
will frame the discussion with a clear-eyed focus on the guarding the
value of music for musicians, and guarding access to music for citizens.
Register online at http://www.futureofmusic.org/regme.cfm
ATTENTION LAWYERS • EVENT IS NOW CLE ACCREDITED FOR SEVEN CREDITS
This program has been approved by the Pennsylvania and Virginia CLE
Boards for 7 hours of substantive law, practice, and procedure CLE credit,
with reciprocity for credits granted by many other state bars, including
California. Lawyers who are interested in reciprocity should contact
their state bars to confirm the applicability.
Keynote Speakers
Over the course of the two days we will open the floor to a handful
of the most influential policy makers in the music / technology community.
We are pleased to announce this year's keynote speakers:
Representative Rick Boucher Co-Chair, Congressional Internet Caucus
Representative John Conyers, Jr. Ranking Minority Member, House Judiciary Committee
CA State Senator Kevin Murray Chair, Select Committee on the Entertainment Industry
Konrad Hilbers CEO, Napster
The Panels
One of the best features of last year's conference was its ability to
anticipate emerging trends and to build panels that brought forward
debates that would soon move from the margins to the center of discussion.
Eleven panels will focus on the latest developments in copyright law,
the digital royalty collection controversy, international issues, antitrust
developments, emerging business models, and artist organizations.
PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE: Hilary Rosen (RIAA), Krist Novoselic (Nirvana/JamPAC),
Yochai Benkler (NYU Law School), Marybeth Peters (US Copyright Office),
Amy Ray (Indigo Girls), Al Franken (Actor), Bruce Lehman (International
Intellectual Property Institute), Pamela Samuelson (UC Berkeley) ...and
over 50 others. Go here to see the schedule of panels: MONDAY: http://www.futureofmusic.org/events/summit0102/schedule.cfm TUESDAY: http://www.futureofmusic.org/events/summit0102/schedule2.cfm
The Musicians
As with last year, we have invited a number of musicians to join us
at the event, as performers during the conference AND as participants
in the debate. Because of some generous contributions from our sponsors,
100 musicians are able to attend the event on a scholarship status.
We would encourage any working musicians who want to engage in the music/tech
debate and better understand the issues affecting their livelihood to
fill out a scholarship application online here.
Admission to Conference
Registration fee includes access to all panels, breakfast and lunch,
and CLE materials for practicing lawyers:
$750 for a two-day pass
-OR-
choose a one-day pass:
$400 for Monday only -or- $400 for Tuesday only
Pho-Fun!
Don't Pho-get! There will be a special pre-Conference Pho Dinner on
Sunday, January 6 at Nam Viet in Arlington, VA. All the info about the
dinner and how to RSVP here
Press Credentialing
If you are a member of the media and are interested in press credentials,
go here to fill out a
form that will go to our media contact, Sonya
Kolowrat.
Questions? Ideas?
Check out the FMC website for more information about the conference,
or to read about last year's event. If you have other questions, please
email us at conference@futureofmusic.org.
Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you in January.
Wrap Up from the Fall Speaking Tour
Well it's over as quickly as it began. How 5 weeks of talking and rocking
could pass so speedily, we'll never know! After ten speaking events,
thirty rock shows, 10,000 miles, three pumpkins, six halloween costumes,
and two speeding tickets it's done.
To listen to the speech as Jenny gave it at UC Berkeley go here.
To read comments from some of the professors who hosted the tour go
here.
The tour was such a success we will tentatively be taking an updated
version of the speech out in March 2002 to several other universities.
If you know an organization or university that would like to host the
speaking tour in its second run send an email to Kristin at kristin@futureofmusic.org.
SoundExchange Agreement
In November, an agreement was struck between SoundExchange, the major
labels, the RIAA, AFTRA, AFM, RAC, MMF and NARAS to pay artist performance
royalties directly to recording artists and to reform the SoundExchange
Board. While the FMC supports the core points of the agreement, there
are a number of other issues in the agreement which raise red flags
and will need further exploration before we can fully endorse this document
without reservation.
Read our comments and critique of the SoundExchange agreement here.
Conference on the Public Domain
From November 9-11, 2001, Duke University and the Center for the Public
Domain hosted an amazing conference on the Public Domain. Some of the
most fascinating minds met to discuss the future and the value of creation
and expression in an increasingly copyrighted and patented world. You
can see archived webcasts of the panels here.
RIAA's SoundExchange Agrees to Pay Artists Directly
by Jay Breitling Webnoize,
November 8, 2001 [subscription required]
Read Up! Some Great Articles
Death Valley
The effects of Valley Distribution bankruptcy on independent labels
by Nancy Einhart San Francisco
Bay Guardian
The Seven Year Statute: The Label's Side with Miles Copeland, CEO
of ARK 21 Records
An open letter from Miles Copeland regarding the music industry's resistance
to the removal of California's seven year statute Musicdish, November 8, 2001
RIAA Wants to Hack Your PC
Recording industry lobbyists had quietly tried to insert an amendment
into an anti-terrorism bill to let copyright holders break into your
PC and delete pirated files.
by Declan McCullagh Wired,
October 15, 2001
RIAA's Response to Billboard Magazine's article regarding the anti-terrorism
bill RIAA Website, October
25, 2001
Between October 9 and November 17, Jenny toured the US with her new
band and spoke for FMC about music and technology issues at nine universities
and one rock club. When she wasn't talking or rocking, Jenny was putting
the finishing touches on the panels and keynotes for this year's phenomenal
policy conference.
Finally, after a year of getting teased for singing the praises of
the web without even having a website, Jenny now has one. Once the
conference is over we suspect 2002 will be the year of testing the
limits of this nebulous process called disintermediation. Meanwhile,
if you are curious for details on the rock and speaking tour you can
visit jennytoomey.com for
the tour diary. Highlights include: professor David Post at Temple
University singing Woody Guthrie songs; a mind blowing panel at Stanford
with Larry Lessig and John Perry Barlow; a two day hiatus in NC at
Jamie Boyle's incredible Conference on the Public Domain; and Lester
Chambers' soul stirring performance at the Knitting Factory.
Michael Bracy
With the policy community taking a big post September 11 breath, the
big music-tech related news of the month is the RIAA's agreement to
directly pay artists their 45% share of the digital royalty. We know
first hand that many hoped to make these funds recoupable, and this
represents a major victory for the artistic community. Considering
the old rules regarding devils and details, however, we will continue
to keep a close eye on the implementation of this agreement...but
for the interim kudos to Ann Chenovitz, John Simson and everyone else
involved in putting this deal together.
My other primary focus here in DC has been finalizing speakers for
the FMC policy summit. With many congressional office buildings closed
due to anthrax threats the most basic of communication has been a
challenge, and our hats go off to the dedicated congressional staffers
who are working through an incredibly difficult time. We are looking
forward to keynote addresses from Congressmen Rick Boucher (co-founder
of the Congressional Internet Caucus and author of the Music Online
Competition Act) and John Conyers (ranking Democrat of the House Judiciary
Committee) plus panelist Debra Rose, counsel to the House Subcommittee
on Intellectual Property. Plus, who knows - there may be a surprise
or two along the way!
Finally, I was thrilled to join up with the beginning and end of the
speaking tour, appearing on panels at American University and Temple
then catching up for the finale at the Knitting Factory. It was wonderful
to take the show on the road and meet face to face with so many folks
who support what we are trying to do...and in some cases even better
to talk with folks who are so committed to making a difference for
artists that they were eager to engage us by challenging some of our
assumptions and positions. Only through constructive dialogue can
everyone's thinking improve, and we appreciate the initiative and
creative ideas expressed by so many of you across the country.
Look forward to seeing everyone in January and Happy Holidays!
Brian Zisk
Besides attending and participating on the West Coast leg of the Future
of Music College tour (listen to him moderate a panel with Jenny,
Ted Cohen of EMI, and Fred Von Lohman of the EFF at http://radio.eff.org/radio_shows/future1.mp3).
Brian has been actively promoting the Future of Music Policy Summit.
Hands glued to his keyboards, and phone glued to his ear, Brian is
emailing many of the press folks he thinks would love to cover the
news which will happen and the folks who will be participating at
the Summit, and is in the middle of calling over 100 folks whom he
thinks would love to hear from him. Don't be surprised if your phone
rings while reading this. Brian's been digging down into the guts
of the SoundExchange agreement, and sharing his critique. He's looking
forward to seeing everyone who'll be at the Summit in January, unless
you're down in L.A. the weekend of December 16th where he's hoping
to get together with you over Pho.
Walter McDonough
Walter has been very involved in the SoundExchange agreement, outreach
for the conference, other legal issues, as well as jury duty. He looks
forward to seeing his colleagues at the conference in January.
Kristin Thomson
For most of October, Kristin was on the fall speaking tour with Jenny
Toomey, handling the tour logistics, and typing madly on her laptop
when not in the driver's seat. Since then she's been working feverishly
on details for the FMC policy summit, keeping the website and printed
pieces current, organizing volunteers, and reaching out to panelists.
Ice hockey season has also started, and despite the devastating loss
of some of the team's best players, the Philadelphia Freeze is 1-1
so far.
Peter DiCola
Peter DiCola has just begun the legal portion of his graduate studies
in law and economics. He is looking forward to lots of work at school,
to finishing up his summer research project on compulsory licensing
for sound recordings this month, and to choosing what his research
will turn to next. (Suggestions and inquiries are welcome -- Peter
has a list of 4 or 5 ideas he's been mulling over for a while, which
he'd be happy to augment or discuss.) peter@futureofmusic.org.
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
