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
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 Read 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
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
