Hey friends,
We have two big announcements to share with our supporters. First, our
Policy Summit is shaping up very quickly and we want to give our supporters
one last chance to register at a special low price. We've added a lot
of exciting new participants in the past two weeks and firmed up the panel
agenda, so read on!
Second, we're just days away from the release of a research report that
we've been working on for the past nine months called "Radio Deregulation:
Has it Served Citizens and Musicians?" We will be releasing this
report on Monday, and we invite you to the event or to visit our website
to download a copy for yourself. More details below.
Online registration is now OPEN for the Future
Of Music Policy Summit: January 5-7, 2003
The third annual Future Of Music Policy Summit is scheduled for January
5-7, 2003 at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. As with last
year, we will 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.
o o o o o NEWLY-CONFIRMED PANELISTS o o o o o o
Ira Glass NPR's This American Life
Patti Smith Musician
John Flansburg Musician, They Might be Giants
Adam Thierer Director of Telecommunications Studies, Cato Institute
Jane Ginsburg Professor, Columbia University Law School
Joe Kraus Director, Digitalconsumer.org
Dawn Chmielewski San Jose Mercury News
Mark Cooper Director of Research, Consumer Federation of America
Ann Chaitovitz Director of Sound Recordings, AFTRA
Gigi Sohn President, Public Knowledge
Yochai Benkler Professor, NYU School of Law
Bruce Lehman President, International Intellectual Property Institute
Chris Amenita Senior Vice President, ASCAP
An impressive list of impresarios, rabblerousers, brainiacs, and raconteurs,
but of course, this is just the list of the most recent additions.
Check the website here
for the full list of panelists or to learn more about these folks.
SUMMIT EXPANDS TO THREE DAYS
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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" forthe next days' discussions.
SUNDAY'S PANELS
----------------------------------------------------
Panel 101: The Business of Music
This panel tackles some of the cloudy subjects that confound even
music veterans. Who registers copyrights? What are digital royalties
and who collects them? How can you make smarter choices about booking
a tour, recording music, being insured, using the web, avoiding fatal
mistakes, keeping control? Artists will ultimately make their own
choices, and this panel seeks to introduce the full range of options.
Making Your Laws
Every year policies and laws are made that directly impact the lives
of musicians. In this upcoming congressional session there are no
less than six bills that will affect your access to the radio, the
ownership of your copyrights, the structures and rates of your future
royalties and your freedom to speak, sing and perform publicly. Meanwhile,
the FCC is
considering lifting ownership caps that would lead to further consolidation.
How can musicians connect with these issues in a way that brings change
on a local, state and national level? We'll discuss the political
issues you need to care about in 2003 before they impact your livelihood,
creativity and speech in 2004 and beyond.
Ian MacKaye/Artist Roundtable panel
Moderated by Ian MacKaye of Dischord Records and the band Fugazi,
this panel will bring together a half-dozen musicians to talk about
the choices they have made and are making about touring, recording,
ownership and control, the simple power of saying no and saying yes,
and their definitions of success.
Sunday's program is free for working musicians. If you'd like to attend,
please check in at this
webpage as space is limited and we can only take folks on a first-come,
first-served basis. If you've already registered or applied for a
musicianscholarship, you don't need to check in here as well.
MONDAY and TUESDAY'S PANELS
------------------------------------------------
State of the Union
2002 saw the launch of Musicnet and Pressplay, while legal and PR
efforts to counteract the effects of P2P continued. But there are
bigger issues on the table including the rise of artists' voices through
the organizations like FMC, RAC, and AEC about major label practices,
the constitutionality of copyright extension, privacy issues, and
a sinking music economy. What does 2003 hold in store for musicians,
consumers, and the music community?
Radio: Consolidate or Regulate?
Corporate consolidation is not unique to the entertainment industry,
but it's certainly having a profound effect on musicians. In November
2002, the FMC released a study of the impact of radio consolidation
on artists
and citizens. This panel uses the study as a starting point to discuss
radio consolidation – is it a plus or minus for artists, music
fans and citizens? Is the deregulation of radio a blueprint for other
media, a cautionary tale, or both? And can radio be reformed, or will
new technologies simply step in to replace it?
The Tangled Web of Webcasting
We've had legislation, negotiation, arbitration, litigation…and
now, more legislation in the effort to develop a usable framework
to collect and distribute royalties for digital performance of recorded
works. What is the status of this issue? Where is it heading in 2003?
And why has this been so difficult to resolve? This panel brings together
some of the most
influential voices in the debate to talk about the future of webcasting.
Musicians and Health Insurance
Not a week goes by that you don't hear about a benefit being organized
to help a musician with no health insurance cover medical bills. Some
musicians work extra jobs just to afford or obtain coverage, requiring
them to juggle a music career with a full-time job to maintain benefits.
Others give up, brushing off this necessity as a "luxury."
Why are musicians far
less likely to be covered by basic health insurance? Is the problem
economics, structures, or access to information? What can we do to
improve musicians' ability to secure affordable health insurance?
Retail in the 21st Century
Three years ago it looked like digital distribution and P2P networks
would lead to grave consequences for traditional retail. With the
industry showing its lowest sales numbers in years we want to look
at the impact of
technology on retail. What's the future of retail – both online
and offline? How can terrestrial retail and distribution use the web
to attract music fans and survive in this new era?
Major Labels: Can they Innovate?
Major labels rely on time-tested techniques when signing and dealing
with artists. Many of these structures are increasingly criticized
as leading to inequitable partnerships. In response, some labels are
taking bold steps, signing bands to unique deals, offering health
insurance, sharing profits. Are these labels setting new precedents,
or just finding ways to attract musicians in a competitive marketplace?
Major label representatives and top-level artist managers discuss
ways that the major labels can – and should – innovate.
Complete Control
In an environment where digital copying and distribution threaten
existing business models, the entertainment industry is pushing for
legislative and technological solutions to protect its content. Consumer
groups and telecommunications companies reply that the entertainment
industries are going too far. What does this fight mean for artists
and the public? What about the balance with privacy issues? And where
does the digital rights
management debate go in 2003?
The Search for A Legitimate Digital Marketplace
A full 30 months after "Napster Summer", the music industry
is slowly coming forward with legitimately licensed subscription services
to compete with unlicensed peer-to-peer networks. Is the industry
doing enough to respond to demand? If so, can they "compete with
free?" If not, is it time to explore compulsory licenses for
certain digital transmissions? How would these licenses work and who
would they most serve?
2003 Policy Agenda
2003 will be a critical year as a wide range of issues of concern
to musicians and music fans are debated in Congress, the Administration
and at the FCC. In addition, some state legislatures are weighing
in on issues like major label accounting and California's seven-year
statue. Where are these issues heading? How does this impact the various
interests in the music community? How can musicians impact these policy
decisions?
For more information about the schedule or Sunday's program go here
CLE ACCREDITATION AVAILABLE
-------------------------------------------------------
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.
HOTEL BLOCK CONFIRMED
-------------------------------------------------------
We have also reserved 40 rooms from January 4 -7 at the Marriott at
Georgetown University Conference Center. This hotel is on the GU campus
and only a few hundred yards from Gaston Hall, making it very convenient.
Call 1.800.228.9290 or 202.687.3235 and mention the "Future of
Music Coalition" to receive the discounted rate of $145. Reservations
must be made by December 27, 2002 to receive the special rate. Please
visit their website to learn more about their services, rooms, covered
parking, and other amenities.
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.
WIN A GUITAR!
-------------------------------------------------------
Epiphone Guitars has graciously donated an AJ-18S acoustic guitar
(list price: $500) for a giveaway at the Policy Summit. All registered
participants will be eligible for the drawing. Just one more reason
to sign up!
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 applicationsand
reply to folks as quickly as we can.
PHO DINNER
-------------------------------------------------------
How could we host an event like this and not kick things off with
a Pho dinner on Saturday night (right after the Patti Smith show)?
Visit this page for more information about how to RSVP:
http://www.futureofmusic.org/events/summit03/pho.cfm
EVENING CONCERTS
-------------------------------------------------------
In conjunction with this year's Summit, the Artists Empowerment Coalition
will be hosting evening concerts at various venues in Washington,
DC on 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
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.
FMC Releases Results 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
research, funded by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, will
be released on Monday, November 18 at a special press event where
we'll briefly review our findings.
FMC Releases "Radio Deregulation: Has it Served Citizens and
Musicians?"
11:00 am – 12 noon
The Willard Hotel
1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC Tel: 202 628 9100
We'd encourage anyone who is interested in attending this event to
join us. Just shoot a quick email to kristin@futureofmusic.org so
we can get a basic head count.
Starting on Monday you can also visit
this webpage to review the full report or the executive summary:
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
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
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
