The Future of Music Coalition shares the contemplative spirit of this
holiday season and hopes that this period of reflection will inspire 2002
to be year of regrouping, education and collaboration between the legal,
artistic, academic, technical, and business communities.
As for a recap of last years highlights, even in the midst of economic
downturn and strife within the artistic, technology and business communities,
FMC managed several significant achievements for an organization that
was under-funded and barely a year old.
We held the critically acclaimed FMC Policy conference in January
2001, which brought record numbers of artists into the debate.
We submitted testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee and Copyright
Office with four suggestions of actions that could significantly benefit
creators.
We helped to codify an agreement that will ensure that artist get
paid their percentage of the digital royalties directly.
We gave testimony at the Department of Commerce on behalf of creators’
issues regarding broadband.
We organized and executed a 6-week national speaking tour that visited
ten universities.
We applied for and received a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation
in order to study the impact of radio consolidation on musicians and
citizens.
We were offered a seat on the Sound Exchange Board.
We published a comprehensive 12-clause record contract critique that
was featured on the cover of Billboard Magazine.
We began work on a documentary project that takes a structural look
at creators’ issues within the music business.
We created a health insurance survey that will help us to understand
the coverage landscape within the artistic community.
We built a website that organizes some of the best writing on these
issues into one easy to use interface.
We connected with all of you in our brilliant newsletter community
that continues to grow.
Considering the stellar line up of next week’s policy summit, 2002
looks to be an even more exciting year. Those of you who want to start
off on the right foot may be able to take advantage of the FMC Newsletter
Discount we are offering (up to $250 off the ticket price) and start the
new year with FMC in Washington, DC in the center of the most comprehensive
discussion of these complex music/tech issues.
Hope to see you in the front row.
Future of Music Policy Summit: Final Countdown!
Calling all FMC supporters! We're less than a ten days away from our
second Annual Policy Summit, which is January 7-8, 2002 at Georgetown
University's Gaston Hall. Now that panelists are confirmed, volunteers
are waiting, and musicians are tuning up, all we need is you!
RECENTLY CONFIRMED PANELISTS:
* Charlie Sanders, NMPA/Harry Fox * Bernice Johnson Reagon, Sweey Honey
in the Rock * Jim Guerinot, Rebel Waltz Management (Offspring/No Doubt)
* Phil Leigh, Vice President, Raymond James & Associates
These folks round out the already-impressive list of panelists:
- Chris Amenita, VP New Media and Technology, ASCAP
- Colleen Andersen, Business Development Manager, MSN® Music
- Dagfinn Bach, Artspages.org
- John T. Baker IV, President and CEO, Loudeye
- John Perry Barlow, Cofounder, Electronic Frontier Foundation
- Jon Baumgarten, Attorney, Proskauer Rose LLP
- Yochai Benkler, Professor, NYU Law School
- Marilyn Bergman, President, ASCAP
- Tim Bierman, Pearl Jam "Ten Club" manager
- Eric Boehlert, Salon.com
- David Bollier, Co-founder, Public Knowledge
- Jose Bowen, Director of Music Program, Georgetown University
- Whitney Broussard, Attorney, Selverne Mandelbaum and Mintz
- Jim Burger, Attorney, Dow, Lohnes & Albertson
- David Carson, General Counsel, US Copyright Office
- Brian Chater, President, CIRPA
- Ann Chaitovitz, Director of Sound Recordings, AFTRA
- Ted Cohen, VP of New Media EMI Recorded Music
- Richard Conlon, VP Marketing and Business Development, BMI
- Manus Cooney, VP Corporate and Policy Development, Napster
- Jay Cooper, Partner, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips
- Miles Copeland, Ark21 Records
- Mark Cuban, Founder, Broadcast.com
- Alan Davidson, Associate Director and Staff Counsel, Center for Democracy
and Technology
- Pat DiNizio, The Smithereens / XM Radio
- Ric Dube , Fenway Recordings
- Adam Eisgrau, Adjunct Professor, Communication, Culture and Technology,
Georgetown University
- Marshall Eubanks, Multicast Technologies
- Dave Farber , Penn Initiative for Markets, Technology and Policy
- Edward Felten, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Princeton
University
- Dave Fagin, The Rosenbergs
- Ron Gertz, President, Music Reports
- Danny Goldberg, President, Artemis Records
- Jim Griffin , CEO, Cherry Lane Digital
- Robin Gross, Attorney, Electronic Frontier Foundation
- Bill Holland, Washington Bureau Chief, Billboard Magazine
- Pam Horovitz, President, NARM
- Peter Jaszi, Professor, American University,Washington College of
Law
- Peter Jenner, Chairman, AURA
- Dean Kay, ASCAP
- Rick Karr, Cultural Correspondent, NPR News
- Jon Kertzer, Director, Smithsonian Global Sound
- Bruce Lehman, International Intellectual Property Institute
- Jessica Litman, Professor, Wayne State University
- Ian MacKaye, Dischord Records/Fugazi
- Dave Marsh, Journalist and critic
- John McCutcheon, folkmusic.com / AFM local 1000
- Walter McDonough, General Counsel, FMC
- Krist Novoselic, Nirvana/President, JAMPAC
- Sandy Pearlman, VP Media Development, Moodlogic.com
- Marybeth Peters, Registrar, US Copyright Office
- Jonathan Potter, Executive Director, DIMA
- Ann Powers, Experience Music Project
- Amy Ray, Indigo Girls / Daemon Records
- Toshi Reagon, singer/songwriter
- Rob Reid, Founder, Listen.com
- Brian Robertson, President, Canadian Recording Industry Association
- Debra Rose , Counsel, House Subcommittee on the Courts, the Internet
and Intellectual Property
- Hilary Rosen, President and CEO, RIAA
- Jay Rosenthal, Recording Artist Coalition
- David Sanjek, BMI Archivist and Author
- Cary Sherman, Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel,
RIAA
- Tom Silverman, CEO, Tommy Boy Records
- John Simson, Director of Artist and Label Relations, Sound Exchange
- Derek Sivers, CD Baby
- Ted Tanner Jr., Audio-Video Architecture Strategist, Microsoft Corporation
- Jonathan Tasini, National Writer's Union
- Johnny Temple, Girls Against Boys / Akashic Press
- Michael Tiemann, CTO, Red Hat
- Vivek Tiwary, Star Polish
- Joe Uehlein, Director, Strategic Campaigns, AFL-CIO
- Brian Austin Whitney, Just Plain Folks
- Brian Zisk, Technologies Director, FMC
CHECK OUT THE SCHEDULE of PANELS and SPECIAL EVENTS: Monday, January 7: http://www.futureofmusic.org/events/summit0102/schedule.cfm Tuesday, January 8: http://www.futureofmusic.org/events/summit0102/schedule2.cfm
HEAR A PREVIEW:
On Friday, January 4, 1:00 PM ET Jenny Toomey and Michael Bracy will
be Live Online at the Washington Post. Go here to submit questions or
to tune in: http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/01/music_toomey010402.htm
ATTENTION LAWYERS • POLICY SUMMIT WORTH 7 CLE 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.
MONDAY NIGHT CONCERT ANNOUNCED
As with last year, we have invited a number of musicians and bands to
play at the conference, so that it's not all about talk but also about
music! Plus, we've organized a special concert for Monday night in Gaston
Hall with:
• Last Train Home (DC's own alt-country favorites)
• Lester Chambers (of the legendary Chambers Brothers)
• Danielle Howle (SC's own fast-talkin' gal rocker, on Daemon/Kill
Rock Stars)
All ages! Tickets: $5 Doors at 8:00 PM directions: http://www.futureofmusic.org/events/summit0102/directions.cfm
MUSICIAN SCHOLARSHIPS STILL AVAILABLE
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,
over 100 musicians are able to attend the event on a scholarship status,
and there are a handful of spaces left! 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 at:
MEMBER DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
We would like to extend a disounted rate to our most active supporters.
We have made special arrangements with WALA, ASCAP, AFIM, CPSR, and
NARM to offer their members a special discounted rate. There are also
discounts available for FMC newsletter subscribers (that's you!!) ,
employees of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and a limited
number of very low prices for students. Registration is a bit different,
but just as easy. Go to this
page and follow the instructions.
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.
ANY QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?
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 next week.
FMC General Counsel Appointed to SoundExchange Board
In mid-December, FMC's General Counsel Walter McDonough was invited
to join the SoundExchange Advisory Board, which he has accepted. We
consider this a major victory based on a year-long effort on the behalf
of many organizations to urge SoundExchange to include a diversity of
voices on its advisory board, escpecially those who will advocate forcefully
for the direct payment of digital royalties to musicians, and musicians'
participation in the policy-making process.
We are thrilled that SoundExchange extended this offer to Walter.
Victory! SoundExchange Agreement Publicy Posted
Those of you who read last month's newsletter will remember that FMC
supported the direction of the recent deal between the musicians unions,
RAC and Sound Exchange that among other things codified the principle
that artist should be paid their rightful 45% share of the digital royalties
directly. Our critique of the document flagged areas of concern from
earlier versions of the document and requested that the final version
be posted publicly for collective review.
In response to this request AFTRA has recently posted the deal on their
site (thank you, AFTRA). We invite you all to take a look for yourself
and forward any areas of concern or support.
Go to: http://www.aftra.org and scroll
down to the SoundExchange section. Click on the "principles of
agreement" to see the document.
Jenny Toomey at Department of Commerce
On December 17, 2001 Jenny was invited by The Technology Administration
of the Department of Commerce to participate in a workshop
to explore digital content and digital rights management issues in an
attempt "to explore a critical question impacting the deployment
and adoption of broadband networks, identify potential government or
private sector actions, and facilitate continuing dialogue and cooperation."
She participated in a roundtable discussion with Preston Padden/ Disney,
Elizabeth Frazee/AOL Time Warner, Manus Cooney/Napster, Tim Sheehy/IBM,
Mitch Glazier/RIAA, Matt Gerson/Vivendi, Justin Lilley/Bertelsmann,
Eric Scheirer/Forrester Research (among others) and answered questions
from government moderators. In the meeting she emphasized the difficultly
freelance creators like artists and writers have negotiating for fair
compensation from the large corporations that dominate the media environment.
She also cautioned the Department of Commerce to be sure that artists
share in the value of future deals and warned that protective measures
enacted to maintain the health of the established music business models
may at the same time prevent fair competition and therefore impede the
growth of other more lucrative and equitable partnerships for artists.
When the Perfect Storm Hit Labels
The Universal Group leads a diminished derby, battered by artist and
fan woes
By Steve Hochman and Jeff Leeds LA Times,
December 30, 2001
Shows to Build Coffers Against Record Labels
A cadre of popular musicians led by Elton John, the Eagles and the Dixie
Chicks is banding together to put on an extraordinary production: five
benefit concerts in the Los Angeles area on one night in February. But,
instead of raising money for charity, the artists are taking the stage
to finance their ongoing battle against the record industry....
By Chuck Philips LA
Times, December 19, 2001
Music industry in the pits!
Record sales are down, no one's seeing concerts, no one's advertising
on radio and the stars are revolting!
By Eric Boehlert Salon.com,
Dec. 19, 2001
Round 2 of Online Music Battle Begins
Internet: As the big labels roll out online song services, angry artists
are preparing cease-and-desist notices.
By Chuck Philips, Jon Healey
LA Times, December 10, 2001
A Potential Hit And a Miss on The Music Front
By Rob Pegoraro Washington
Post, December 7, 2001; Page E01
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.
FMC Reveals Programming for Fall Events Fall 2008 "What's the Future for Musicians?" seminars in New York and Chicago; Sampling and Fair Use Panel in NYC.
September 9, 2008 Press release | Event Page
FMC Announces Upcoming Events Fall 2008 "What's the Future for Musicians?" seminars in New York and Chicago; Washington, D.C. Policy Day and Policy Summit set for 2009.
August 5, 2008 Press release | Event Page
FMC Commends FCC's Comcast Decision On August 1, the FCC ruled that Comcast violated net neutrality principles; the decision is a positive step in preserving the open internet. August 1, 2008
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
