As part of our mission to make sure that artists' and musicians' voices
are not left out of the policy debate, the FMC regularly prepares and
submits public comments, documents, and testimony to the appropriate rulemaking
bodies. In these documents, the FMC strives to inject the debate with
information about how policies can affect artists and the public at large,
both in the short and long term.
2008
FMC Files Brief to Protect Creative Expression
On July 2, 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)
FMC Files Reply Comments in FCC Localism Proceeding
On June 11, FMC filed reply comments in the FCC's ongoing localism docket (04-233). FMC's comments
offered highly targeted proposals designed to aid stations’ service to their local communities. FMC also urged the FCC to take definite steps to track and analyze playlists in order to fulfill their public interest obligations.
June 11, 2008 PDF of Reply Comments | Press release
Testimony of Damian Kulash from OK Go before the House Judiciary Anti-Trust Task Force hearing on Net Neutrality Damian Kulash from the band OK Go testifies in favor of net neutrality before the House Judiciary Committee.
March 11, 2008 Written testimony | Spoken testimony, including video clips
2007
FMC Files Request for Declaratory Ruling on Clear Channel at Federal Communications Commission
In June 2007, FMC discovered license agreement language on Clear Channel websites that, if signed, would waive an artists' public performance royalties. FMC asked the FCC to rule on the action in relation to the sponsorship rules in the Communications Act.
July 13, 2007 Filing | PDF | Press release
FMC Testimony Submitted to House Small Business Committee for Hearing "Assessing the Impact of the Copyright Royalty Board Decision to Increase Royalty Rates on Recording Artists and Webcasters" June 27, 2007 Testimony | Press release
FMC Files Reply Comments in FCC Media Ownership Proceeding, MB 06-121
On January 16, FMC filed reply comments in the FCC's quandrennial media ownership proceeding that questioned the arguments for further deregulation presented primarily by the NAB and Clear Channel in their comments. FMC also submitted our December 2006 report False Premises, False Promises: A History of Ownership Consolidation in the Radio Industry in the record.
January 16, 2007 Reply Comments | PDF of Reply Comments
2006
FMC's Jenny Toomey Testifies at FCC Media Ownership Hearing
FMC's prepared oral testimony delivered at the FCC's Public Hearing on Media Ownership
Belmont University, Nashville, TN
December 11, 2006 Testimony | Details about the hearing
FMC and AFM File Joint Comments at FCC in 2006 Media Ownership Proceeding FMC comments find that large station groups do not offer more format
variety.
MB Docket No. 06-121, 02-277, 01-235, 0-317, 00-244
October 23, 2006 Executive Summary | PDF
of comments
FMC Urges Federal Communications Commission to Investigate Allegations
of Radio Payola February 15, 2006 Letter to FCC | Press Release
2005
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
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 NOI on out-of-print
recordings March 25, 2005
FMC Sends Letter to Senate Stating
Concerns about S 193, Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act March
10, 2005
Artist Groups File Joint Reply Comments at FCC
on localism in broadcasting, MB Docket
04-233
January 3, 2005 PDF
of reply comments
2004
FMC's Michael Bracy presents at FTC Forum on Peer to Peer Filesharing
December 16, 2004 Presentation | PDF
of document
FMC files comments at
FCC on localism in broadcasting, MB Docket 04-233 November 1, 2004 Comments | PDF
of document
FMC Sends Letter to Senate Judiciary Committee
Stating Concerns about the INDUCE Act August 4, 2004
Artist Groups File Joint Reply Comments at FCC
on the transition to digital audio broadcasting August 2, 2004 Press release | PDF
of reply comments
FMC, AFM, AFTRA and RAC file joint testimony in the House Judiciary
Committee hearing on "Internet Streaming of Radio Broadcasts: Balancing
the Interests of Sound Recording Copyright Owners with those of Broadcasters"
July 15, 2004 PDF of document
FMC, AFM and AFTRA file joint comments at FCC on the transition
from analog to digital broadcasting June 16, 2004 Comments | PDF
of document
2003
Broad Coalition of Artist Groups Deliver Joint Statement on "Current
Issues in Radio" to FCC and Congress
October 8, 2003 Press Release | Statement
FMC Files a Petition for Reconsideration at the FCC on the
Broadcast Media Ownership Rules
September 4, 2003 Executive Summary | PDF
of document
Peter DiCola's Statement delivered during the FCC Field Hearing
at Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
May 19, 2003 Testimony
FMC Joins With Larger Public Interest Coalition to Send Letters
to FCC and Congress on Media Ownership Rules
March 25, 2003 Letter to Congress | Letter
to FCC
Jenny Toomey's testimony delivered to the Federal Communications
Commission during the FCC Field Hearing on Media Ownership
Richmond, VA: February 27, 2003 Testimony | PDF
of document
FMC's Written Testimony submitted to the Senate Commerce Committee
Hearing on Media Ownership: Radio
January 30, 2003 Testimony | PDF
of document
Jenny Toomey's statement delivered to the Senate Commerce Committee
Hearing on Media Ownership: Radio
January 30, 2003 Statement | PDF
of document
2002
FMC's Prepared Comments for the Congressional Black Caucus Meeting
on Music and Internet Piracy
September 13, 2002 Comments | PDF
of document
FMC's Prepared Comments for the CA State Senate Hearing on Major
Label Accounting Practices
July 23, 2002 Comments | PDF
of document
Copyright Royalties: Where is the Right
Spot On The Dial For Webcasting?
FMC's Testimony Submitted to Senate Judiciary Committee
May 15, 2002 Testimony |
PDF of document
FMC's Prepared Statement for US Copyright
Office Roundtable on Webcasting Rates and Reporting Requirements
May 10, 2002 Statement |
PDF of document
FMC Files Reply Comments with the Federal Communicatins Commission
on Local Markets (MM Docket 01-317)
May 8, 2002 Filing | PDF
of document
FMC Files Reply Comments with the US Copyright Office on Webcasting
Rates and Reporting Requirements
April 26, 2002 Filing | PDF
of document
FMC submits letter to House Judiciary Committee on Music/Technology
Issues
April 8, 2002 Letter | PDF
of document
FMC Filing with the US Copyright Office on Webcasting Rates and
Reporting Requirements
April 5, 2002 Filing | PDF
of document
2001
FMC Endorses and Gives Constructive Criticism to the Agreement
to Pay Artist Performance Royalties Directly to Recording Artists
and to Reform the Sound Exchange Board
November 30, 2001 statement and critique of agreement
FMC Sends Letter to CA State Assembly Urging for the Repeal of
the 7-Year Contract Language that Singles Out Recording Artists
Hearings on Recording Artist Exemption to Seven Year Statute (Labor
Law Section 2855 (b))
September 5, 2001 letter | PDF
of document
FMC Filing with the US Copyright Office on the CARP Proceedings
Re: Docket No. 96-5 CARP DSTRA/Copyright Office's Request for Comment
on Proposed Regulations that will govern the RIAA Collective ("Sound
Exchange") When it Functions as the Designated Agent Receiving Royalty
Payments and Statements of Accounts Filed with the US Copyright Office,
August 22, 2001 press release | PDF
of document
FMC Testimony Submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee's Hearing
on Online
Entertainment
Submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee April 3, 2001 PDF of document
Re: The Future of Music Coalition's Comments Regarding the Digital
Millennium Copyright Act
Reference is made to the United States Copyright Office's and the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) request for
public comments regarding the effects of the amendments made by title
1 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, ("DMCA'') as contained
in the June 5, 2000, Federal Register, pp. 35673-35675. Filed with the
US Copyright Office, August 20, 2000 link
| PDF of document
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
