future of Music Coalition
endorse the
Frequently Asked Questions
Join the mailing list

On The NAPSTER Ruling

February 12, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement of Jenny Toomey, Executive Director, Future of Music Coalition

As we have said since the first publication of our manifesto, for the vast majority of independent musicians the Napster question is a red herring:

"In a marketplace where manufacturing and distribution monopolies concentrate the power of over 90% of music sold into the hands of five labels With huge media mergers continuing to consolidate the decisions of what to play and promote, it becomes more and more difficult for artists to gain exposure through the few remaining coveted radio spots."

In this environment it is impossible to reduce the value of peer-to-peer file trading to one that is black and white or good and bad. As a organization we have yet to fully support Napster as they have yet to produce a service which both offers the file-trading features its 30 million plus users demand, and also provides a means to compensate the creators and owners of those copyrights. We do, however, believe that Napster was working in good faith to create that service, and have in fact pledged to roll out a business model that would compensate creators this June.

In light of today's court decision it appears Napster will have many serious impediments to implementing such a business model. This leaves us in a situation that is far less encouraging for both artists and consumers who feel constricted by the status quo pre-Napster.

As we said in our manifesto, "For too long musicians have had too little voice in the manufacture, distribution and promotion of their music on a national and international level and too little means to extract fair support and compensation for their work." We continue to challenge the music technology community to work in good faith to create new models to accomodate the vast majority of artists who are currently underserved.


Jenny Toomey
February 12, 2001


 

Please donate to the cause - PayPal donations welcome at paypal@futureofmusic.org.


home | manifesto | resources | press & news | events FAQs subscribe contact us

subscribe

Want to stay on top of music/tech issues? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! Read the latest edition online here.



up front

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 Seeks Fall/Spring Interns
See Complete Job Description

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)

FMC Files Reply Comments in FCC Localism Proceeding
June 11, 2008
PDF of Reply Comments | Press release

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

FMC's Latest Fact Sheets
HD Radio
Low Power FM Radio
Public Performance Right for Sound Recordings
Orphan Works
Traveling with Instruments
Touring Internationally
SoundExchange
Net Neutrality
Full Power Non-Commerical Radio Licenses
Media Ownership

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