It's fall again and you can be sure that the leaves ain't
the only things changing these days. No... it's the times. Finally, it's
the times. With no further ado let's get into the heart of what's been
up at FMC in the past six weeks.
Online registration is now OPEN for the FMC Policy Summit: January
5-7, 2003
The third annual FMC Policy Summit is scheduled for January 5-7, 2003
at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. As with last year, we
hope to bring a diverse group of artists, academics, lawyers, business
leaders, technologists and policymakers together for an engaging and
in-depth look at the most critical issues at the intersection of music,
law, policy and technology.
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SPECIAL INTERNET-ONLY OFFER for the first 200
FMC SUBSCRIBERS and SUPPORTERS… from now until November 4, 2002
Discounted online registration is now OPEN. Our robots are standing
by to take your order. Just visit our secure
page to guarantee your seat! And remember, this discounted offer
is only good from now until November 4. Read on for more reasons why
you need to be there….
Monday and Tuesday's programs will include five panels each day, keynote
speeches, musical performances, networking opportunities, and other
events. In addition, we are building out a program on Sunday afternoon
so that working musicians with day jobs can also have a chance to
attend. Sunday, January 5 will include three musician-specific panels
that will focus on practical matters for working musicians, and also
serve as a "primer" for the next days' discussions.
MONDAY and TUESDAY'S 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.
In an attempt to recreate history, FMC is loosely organizing this
year's panels around broad themes until November when we will begin
to commit to firm topics of discussion. Areas of focus for this year's
panels will include:
- The State of the Union
- Radio Consolidation: Has it Served Musicians and Citizens?
- The Webcasting Debate
- Illegal Imagination: Sampling and the Public Domain
- Musicians and Health Insurance
- Retail in the 21st Century
- Major Labels: Can They Innovate?
- International Issues
- Control of Content
- Legislative Agenda 2003
For more information about the schedule or Sunday's program go here
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS and PANELISTS
Keynote Speakers (confirmed as of 10/21/02)
Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)
Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA)
Panelists: (confirmed as of 10/21/2002)
Lee Abrams, Chief Programming Officer, XM Radio
Patricia Aufderheide, Professor, School of Communications, American
University
Erik Bazilian, Musician, Songwriter
Suzette Becker, Attorney, Becker Entertainment/Internet Law
Eric Boehlert, Salon.com
Whitney Broussard, Partner, Selverne Mandelbaum & Mintz
Rosemary Carroll, Partner, Carroll, Codikow, Guido & Groffman
Sarah B. Deutsch, Vice President & Associate General Counsel,
Verizon
Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL), Chairman of the Entertainment Industry Task
Force
Jim Griffin, Cherry Lane Digital /Pho
Kurt Hanson, Publisher, Radio and Internet Newsletter
Bill Holland, Washington Bureau Chief, Billboard Magazine
Pam Horovitz , President, NARM
Peter Jenner, Chairman, AURA
Rick Karr, Cultural Correspondent, NPR News
Dina LaPolt, Attorney, LaPolt Law
Ian MacKaye, Dischord Records/Fugazi
Michael McMartin, Australian Music Manager's Forum
L. Londell McMillan, Attorney, L. Londell McMillan PC
Patrick Monaghan, Carrot Top Records and Distribution
Kevin Murray, California State Senator. Chair, Select Committee on
Entertainment Industry
John Nichols, Correspondent, The Nation
Marybeth Peters, Register, US Copyright Office
David Post, Professor of Law, Temple University
Ann Powers, Experience Music Project
Tim Quirk, Listen.com
Pam Samuelson, Professor, School of Information Management and Systems,
UC Berkeley
Robert Santelli, Director and CEO, Experience Music Project
Eamon Shackleton, Irish Music Rights Organization
Cary Sherman, President, Recording Industry Association of America
John Simson, Executive Director, SoundExchange
Derek Sivers, President, CD Baby
David Sterling, President, MusicPro Insurance
Siva Vaidhyanathan, Professor, Department of Culture and Communication,
New York University
Brian Austin Whitney, Just Plain Folks
Peyton Wimmer, Former Director, SIMS Foundation
Already an impressive list of impresarios, rabblerousers, brainiacs,
and raconteurs, but of course, this is just the beginning. You can
always check the website here
for the latest info or to learn more about these folks. If you have
any suggestions about potential panelists, please send them our way.
SPONSORS
We'd like to thank the sponsors who have already demonstrated their
support for the Summit:
ASCAP
BMI
AFTRA
AFM
Pearl Jam
CD Baby
Neuros
Multicast Technologies
Epiphone Guitars
Just Plain Folks
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Would you or your company like to be a sponsor of the 2003 Summit?
We have a variety of sponsorship opportunities available that can
accommodate any budget. Please contact our sponsorship coordinator,
Megan Frampton at 718.965.0728 or meganframpton@yahoo.com
to learn more.
REGISTER NOW TO JOIN US!
The registration fee for the three-day event is $750, which includes
access to all panels and events on all three days, as well as a breakfast
buffet, snacks, beverages, and a boxed lunch on Monday and Tuesday.
****$500 **************** SPECIAL OFFER ********$500******
From now until Monday, November 4 we are offering a pre-sale price
of $500
to the first 200 FMC newsletter subscribers and supporters. Go to
this
secure page to register
now! Visa, MasterCard and American Express accepted.
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MUSICIANS' SCHOLARSHIPS
Because of some generous contributions from our sponsors, a certain
number of 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 an
application online here.
Scholarships are for musicians only. We will review the online applications
and reply to folks as quickly as we can.
EVENING CONCERTS
In conjunction with this year's Summit, the Artists Empowerment Coalition
will be hosting evening concerts at various venues in Washington,
DC with some very special musicians who are members of their coalition.
More about the concerts and performers will be posted on the website
as we confirm, but you can learn more about the AEC and its members
here
CLE ACCREDITATION
As in years past, practicing attorneys will be able to count their
attendance at the Policy Summit panels towards CLE credits. For 2003,
the CLE accreditation will be handled by Georgetown University Law
School. More information will be posted on the website as it becomes
available.
HELP US TO MAKE THIS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL SUMMIT YET
We want Gaston Hall to be packed with folks who want to participate
in this vigorous debate about music, law, technology and policy, so
please let your colleagues, students, clients, customers, friends
and family know about this important event. Interested folks should
be encouraged to visit the Summit's
homepage to learn more about registration, schedules, sponsoring
opportunities, and the scholarships we're making available to working
musicians. Want to help us even more? Contact our volunteer coordinator
Kendall Nordin at kendall@futureofmusic.org
to see how you can help either before or during the event.
Remember, the special registration price of $500 is only good for
two weeks.
FMC Nears Release of Radio Consolidation Study
For the past nine months, the FMC has been conducting a rigorous study
of the effects of radio deregulation on musicians and citizens. The
report, funded by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, will be
released on November 18. We'll disclose the details of the study in
the next newsletter.
Report from the CA Hearings on Accounting Practices
Brian Zisk attended the Joint Hearing on Record Label Accounting Practices
in Los Angeles on September 24, which was called by members of the
California Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Committee on
the Entertainment Industry. Numerous record company folks and members
of the press and the public attended, as well as musicians such as
Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks, Clint
Black, Tom Waits, Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys, Jennifer
Warnes, Steve Vai, Ruben Blades, Lester Chambers, and many others.
To make a long story short, the artists claimed that the labels were
systemically accounting unfairly, and senior executives of the record
labels (and their lawyers) categorically denied all charges, and went
on the counterattack. The artists weren't the most organized and their
messages were not as clear as they could have been. The record label
executives felt that they had outdebated and outmaneuvered the artists.
Nonetheless, with the exception of Billboard Magazine, all the press
we found surrounding the event came out largely in sympathy with the
artists' plight and presentation. It's very interesting to see the
power which the artists have in the press and the public's imagination,
as well as the strength they wield in the courts of public opinion.
If musicians are willing to step up to the plate and actively explain
their issues and experiences, they have the power to vastly improve
their situation.
FMC's Zisk Invited Panelist at Upcoming Legal Panel
Ethics of Digital Music Downloading
Tuesday, November 12, 2002 at 6 pm
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law - Classroom C
3200 Fifth Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95817
Confirmed Panelists:
Gwen Hinze, Electronic Frontier Foundation
Grace Bergen, Former General Counsel, Tower Records
Brian Zisk, Future of Music Coalition; Technologies Director
Alan Sparhawk, Low (Kranky Records)
Jonathan Poneman, Owner - Sub Pop Records
An as yet undetermined representative from the RIAA.
Sponsored by California Lawyers for the Arts, the McGeorge Intellectual
Property Department, and Omnibus Records.
For questions or to reserve a space call 916-442-6210
FMC and Experience Music Project Team Up for Seattle Event
On August 29th the FMC organized a town meeting with the Seattle music
community called "Where Do We Go From Here?" Co-hosted by
the Experience Music Project, the star-studded panel packed their
JBL Theater. The event was moderated by EMP senior curator Ann Powers
and featured Dave Allen, a member of the explosive, politically-charged
'80s English punk band The Gang of Four, Dave Dederer, of the late
Seattle band the Presidents of the United States of America; Sandy
Pearlman, legendary producer of Blue Oyster Cult and author of the
term "heavy metal"; Reggie Watts, lead singer of Seattle's
Maktub; Nirvana member and JAMPAC co-founder Krist Novoselic; and
Jenny Toomey and Michael Bracy of the Future of Music Coalition. The
panel touched on a number of our favorite issues, including how artists
are responding to technology, radio consolidation, webcasting and
health care.
The staff at EMP was terrific and attendance at the forum was strong.
Read about it here:
Listen
to a digital archive of the event courtesy of KEXP Radio, Seattle.
The FMC looks forward to organizing more "outside the Beltway"
events like these in 2003.
From the Hill: Legislative Update
As the election nears (and a lame-duck session looms) we are keeping
a close eye on a number of legislative initiatives. Some of these
have an opportunity to become law this session, while others have
been introduced to raise awareness of specific issues and to build
momentum for the next congressional session.
One key agenda item for the Future of Music Coalition may become law
in 2002; codification that the 45% digital royalty due to artists
will go directly to artists, rather than being applied to artists'
debt to labels. This language is included in H.R. 5469, the Small
Webcaster Amendment Act of 2002. This bill would provide an alternative
royalty structure for small commercial webcasters, mirroring in many
ways our call for an "incubator license" that we
submitted as Senate testimony in the Spring 2002.
This bill has passed the House and has wide support in the Senate,
but has been held up based on the fear that specific concerns of certain
non-commercial webcasters have not been addressed by this legislation.
Negotiations are ongoing, and it is possible that this bill may be
passed during the post-election lame duck session.
We are continuing to follow a number of other pieces of legislation,
including Senator Feingold's Competition in Radio and Concert Industries
Act of 2002 [S.2691.IS],
Representative Berman's bill to limit liability of copyright owners
who want to employ technology solutions to disrupt peer-to-peer networks
(H.
R. 5211), and the Digital Choice and Freedom Act of 2002 (H.
R. 5522) introduced by Rep. Lofgren.
We are also following Senator Hatch's declared intention to introduce
legislation to protect artists' digital rights, including clarifying
that artists' Internet domain names will be the property of the artists,
not record labels.
The introduction of legislation, or even discussion of potential legislation,
can be important even if the legislation does not pass. In these cases
proposed legislation can shine a light on a specific concern, send
a signal to regulators or establish a benchmark for how congressional
leaders expect industries to perform. We cannot stress enough the
value of communications from constituents in helping educate their
congressional delegations on specific issues.
Are you concerned about radio consolidation in your hometown? Call
your Congressmen and Senators.
Are you concerned about competition in the concert industry? Call
your Congressmen and Senators.
Do you want your representatives to support initiatives that benefit
artists and music fans? Call your Congressmen
and Senators.
You do not have to make specific requests on specific legislation
- but you have to communicate that these are important issues that
you can help your representatives understand. You can also rest assured
that the industry viewpoints on all these issues are made very clear
in Washington. If you have any questions about how to communicate
with your representatives, feel free to email us and we'll provide
as much guidance as we can.
Toomey returns to Georgetown
Jenny Toomey and Gigi Sohn (Public Knowledge) have been team-teaching
a semester-long class at Georgetown University on music, technology,
copyright and public policy. Though the class is only open to Georgetown
students, we have posted the syllabus online for folks who have an
interest in reading along. Go here
to download the reading list.
Fencing Off the Public Domain
"The copyright office isn't like the patent office, which must
decide which patents and trademarks will go to companies," said
Walter McDonough, general counsel for the Future of Music Coalition,
a nonprofit group monitoring the major record labels. "The patent
office grants rights, but the copyright office records what has been
done. Since the patent office grants rights, they keep records for
when those rights expire."
By Brad King Wired,
October 9, 2002
Stars Come Out Against Music Piracy
..."I'm excited to see musicians take a more active role regarding
piracy, accounting practices, radio consolidation, contract reform
and other structures that impact their livelihood," said Jennifer
Toomey, executive director of Washington's Future of Music Coalition
and a singer-songwriter. "We hope that piracy [will] not be used
as a code word to cover up the recording industry's slow adoption
and licensing of new technologies -- technologies that may create
a more efficient and equitable industry for musicians and citizens."
by Frank Ahrens Washington
Post, September 26, 2002
There's been a significant amount of press about many issues that
we care about, including major label accounting practices, webcasting,
radio consolidation, pay for play, and digital distribution. Here's
a selection:
Cox Radio Rejects Payola-Like Practice The station chain owner will stop accepting fees from independent
record promoters.
By Jeff Leeds LA
Times, October 18, 2002
Radio killed the radio star Consolidation has resulted in 10,000 layoffs, the demise of
a beloved trade magazine, and a decline in programming quality. But
industry execs are fat and happy.
By Todd Spencer Salon.com,
October 1, 2002
Companies Settle CD Price-Fixing Suit The five top U.S. distributors of compact discs and three
large music retailers have agreed to pay $143 million in cash and
CDs to settle charges they cheated consumers by fixing prices.
By Larry Neumeister
Salon.com, September 30, 2002
Janis Ian on Life in the Music World Folk singer/activist Janis Ian answers all your music questions
in her characteristically straight, informed style. A great read! Slashdot,
September 23, 2002
Rights issue rocks the music world Record companies see it as mutiny. Musicians call it an overdue
rebellion. Either way, the artists' rights movement has set the stage
for combat that could revolutionize the music industry.
By Edna Gundersen USA
Today, September 16, 2002
The Recording Industry is Trying to Kill the Goose That Lays the Golden
Egg A great research-based piece about CD pricing and sales that
challenges the RIAA's claim that the drop in record sales can be attributed
to "piracy".
By Dan Bricklin September
9, 2002
A Nation of Thieves Commentary from The Artist Currently Known as Prince NPG
Club Site
Killing the College Radio Star New federal rules that require radio stations to track
and pay royalties on all webcast music may force shoestring university
operations off the air. By Brad King. Wired,
August 29, 2002
Why telecoms back the pirate cause An interesting interview with Verizon VP Sarah Deutsch
on digital rights management and control of content
By Declan McCullagh CNET
News.com, August 27, 2002
State Senate to Examine Music Firms Royalties: A second hearing on recording industry accounting
is planned to probe allegations that artists are being cheated.
By Chuck Philips LA
Times, Aug 26, 2002
Jenny Toomey
Jenny has been criss-crossing the globe talking about music and technology
issues. In October she attended a media justice retreat with a host
of other inspiring activists that was organized by The Center for
Digital Democracy and held at the Musgrove compound on the beautiful
(but mosquito ruled) Georgia Coast line. Later in October she attended
a rigorous two-day international summit focused on the Public Domain.
The event was organized by Peter Jaszi at The American University's
Washington School of Law. The event corresponded with a whirlwind
of activity surrounding the recent oral arguments in the Eldred v.
Ashcroft Supreme Court case which raised questions about the constitutionality
of the Sony Bono Copyright Extension Act. The highlight of that week
for Jenny came when an exhausted Larry Lessig (who argued the Eldred
side) visited Georgetown University to take over the professorial
duties in the class that Jenny and Gigi have been teaching and to
answer such uncouth but fascinating student questions like "What
do you wish you might have done differently?" Jenny then flew
24 hours to Australia where she gave the Keynote address at the International
Music Manager's Forum conference in beautiful Sydney in front of members
of the Australian government who come to these events and actually
do things like fund artist tours!!!! What a different world! On a
final note, Jenny's new record Tempting
is finally out but she won't be touring until the spring as she is
consumed with confirming the final geniuses, iconoclasts and superstars
for the FMC Summit and planning the release of the radio consolidation
study.
Michael Bracy
Can this year get any stranger in Washington? Combine a split government,
a hotly contested mid-term election, bizarre occurrences in and around
the greater Washington area and very, very complicated issues involving
interest group politics, technology, the market and copyright law
and you get....well....a headache. But we are seeing progress on a
number of fronts, ranging from coalition efforts to shine a light
on the need to reform commercial radio to potentially promising developments
in the webcasting debate. More than anything over the past few months,
Michael enjoyed getting out to Seattle for the EMP forum in August.
It is always refreshing to meet with folks who follow and appreciate
our efforts with FMC. Next stop - the Policy Summit!
Walter McDonough
Sound Exchange board member Walter McDonough has been a part of the
attempt to bring small and community webcasters together with record
labels and recording artists in order to reach a reasonable settlement
to the ongoing
royalty controversy. As of this writing, it appears that there is
a great chance that webcasters will be able to avail themselves of
a greatly reduced royalty structure. Hopefully, this will allow, particularly
the smaller webcasters, to continue their advocacy on behalf of music
that may not be heard on increasingly constricted commercial radio.
Walter also recently visited Nashville, where he was a keynote speaker
at the well attended Independent Music Conference. While in Music
City, he not only visited the Parthenon and Robert's Western Wear,
but he was able to meet with several of Nashville's leading figures
in songwriting and music publishing. This was particularly important
as the FMC is looking to increase its research efforts on behalf of
songwriters and the issues that are facing them in the new digital
arena.
Kristin Thomson
Kristin had her baby, Riley, on September 5. Both parents and baby
are doing well, though there have been some sleep-deprived moments.
In between feedings and changings Kristin is working on the final
edits of the radio consolidation study, as well as Policy Summit organization.
Peter DiCola
Peter is now mired in economics courses but still working on revising
the FMC's soon-to-be-released study of the radio industry.
Brian Zisk
Brian attended and reported on the Record Industry Accounting Hearings
in Los Angeles. Brian has been observing the music industry and becoming
passionately steamed at its workings. For example, he is watching
a label bully a musician friend of his seeking release from a deal
which was dead before the turn of the century. The label is insisting
that the artist perform impossible tasks which were not stipulated
in the contract, and equally rudely, the label is insisting that they
are under no obligation to make good on payments which were agreed
to under the contract. Noone who was employed at the label when the
artist signed on still works there. Nonetheless, the current regime
is insisting that if he does not perform the impossible which he never
committed to do in the first place, that he must arrange the repayment
of a staggering amount of money, much of which was spent by the label's
former executives on projects unrelated to his. Alternately, the artist
can litigate against this multibillion dollar company, disrupting
his life and paying large legal fees, while for the label, their staff
lawyers' time are considered just a cost of doing business.
Brian has been observing the webcasting machinations, and wonders
why if the RIAA was negotiating an agreement in good faith with small
webcasters that they won't voluntarily approve the agreement they
reached with these webcasters unless a number of clauses are approved
by the legislature which were not even discussed with the webcasters.
Brian's been working on a whole bunch of other projects, and is very
much looking forward to seeing a bunch of you at the FMC Policy Summit.
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.
Thanks for your support and see you next time.
Jenny Toomey
Michael Bracy
Brian Zisk
Walter McDonough
Kristin Thomson
Peter DiCola
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
