MEDIA ADVISORY

George Clinton and Jerry Harrison Join Top Names in Music, Law, Technolgy and Policy at Future of Music Policy Summit

September 11-13, 2005 • George Washington University, Washington, DC

Panels on Payola * Grokster * Sampling * Indecency and Censorship* The Digital Marketplace * Podcasting * New Label Models

As the music landscape changes, the Policy Summit lets you know who's making news, who's helping musicians and what's just around the corner

WASHINGTON – Moving into its fifth year, the Future of Music Policy Summit brings top-notch experts together with musicians, attorneys, advocates and policymakers to explore emerging music/technology issues through a robust debate. Presented in partnership with the Entertainment & Sports Law Committee of the Maryland State Bar Association and the Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers, Inc. (MICPEL), the Future of Music Policy Summit will provide musicians, attorneys, advocates and policymakers with opportunity to understand emerging music/technology issues through a robust debate.

Over the course of three days, 500 participants and 120 expert panelists will participate in panel discussions that dig into the complex problems that crop up as emerging technologies meet traditional music industry structures, federal legislation, and copyright law. Panel topics will range from whether digital distribution is good for artists to the licensing challenges associated with sampling to intellectual property matters post-Grokster.

SPECIAL CONVERSATIONS

The Policy Summit will also feature special conversations with industry leaders and legendary musicians. On September 11, FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein will participate in a one-on-one interview about media ownership and radio; on September 12, Rick Karr will sit down for a discussion about sampling with legendary funkmaster George Clinton and Public Enemy founder/hip-hop producer Hank Shocklee; On September 13, lead New York State Attorney General counsel Terryl Brown Clemons will discuss the impact of the recent payola investigation on the music and radio industries. FMC also welcomes Senator Maria Cantwell and Representative Rick Boucher, both leading figures on media and technology policy, as keynote speakers.

THE KEY ISSUES

GROKSTER: On June 27, the US Supreme Court handed down its decision in MGM v. Grokster. Now, on September 13, some of the major players in this lawsuit including the movie and music industry’s lead counsel Don Verrilli, EFF’s Fred von Lohmann and RIAA president Cary Sherman will debate the impact of the Supreme Court decision on musicians and the music industry.

PAYOLA: On July 25, NY State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer announced a settlement with Sony BMG in his payola investigation. Now, on September 13, Terryl Brown Clemons, Assistant Deputy Attorney General for the Division of Public Advocacy and lead investigator, will explain the implications of the settlement as well as what we should expect from Spitzer and the FCC on payola in the near future.

RECLAIMING THE MEDIA: In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, questions about communications and community-controlled local radio in a time of need are putting LPFM legislation into sharp focus. On September 13, advocates from the media reform community will discuss upcoming agenda items at the FCC and Congress including pending LPFM legislation and media ownership proceedings.

INDECENCY AND CENSORSHIP: Last week, hip hop musician Kanye West went "off script" during a live telethon in what was clearly an emotional statement about the federal response to Hurricane Katrina. The NBC network removed some of his statements from the broadcast before it was played on the West Coast, calling it "unfortunate." On Tuesday, September 13, leading legal and legislative experts Michael Carroll and John Crigler will join with WFMU's radio station manager Ken Freedman and media advocate Kathryn Montgomery to discuss the difficult balance between free speech, the First Amendment and community standards, as well as musicians' rol in the public forum.

The complete schedule

When artists and entrepreneurs such as Public Enemy's Hank Shocklee, Talking Heads' Jerry Harrison, R.E.M.'s Mike Mills, ASCAP artist Joe Henry, The Wrens' Charles Bissell, artist Melissa Ferrick, Semisonic's Jacob Schlichter, and avant-garde jazz artist Matthew Shipp gather in the same room next week there is sure to be lively debate, new revelations, and possibly creative solutions to the problems that affect musicians and citizens.

The complete list of panelists

Registration for the Summit is $149 for a three-day pass and $99 for a one-day pass. Through a partnership with the Entertainment & Sports Law Committee of the Maryland State Bar Association and the Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers, Inc. (MICPEL), practicing attorneys will be able to register for a CLE track for $599. Student and musician discounts and scholarships are also available. 

Members of the press are welcome to attend. The Lisner Auditorium is fully equipped to meet the press' needs, including mult boxes and camera platforms. Please fill out this form to request credentials.

In addition, Wendy Harman can assist with any specific panelist interview requests.

About the Future of Music Coalition
The Future of Music Coalition is a national nonprofit education, research and advocacy organization that identifies, examines, interprets and translates the challenging issues at the intersection of music, law, technology and policy. FMC achieves this through continuous interaction with musicians and through collaborations with other creator/citizen groups.

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