How can musicians and artists collect real money in an "electronic
tip jar"?
If you're a musician and you'd like fans to be able to contribute money
to you for your MP3s, how do you make that possible?
On this page, we will review the ways artists and musicians can receive
payment directly online for their work. Please let us know if we've missed any new developments. At some
point this will become an interactive review section where people can
relate their own impressions and experiences.
PayPal
One option is PayPal (http://www.paypal.com), an email-based system recently acquired
by X.com. Here's how it works: the fan goes to the PayPal website and signs
up for an account. The fan can then send an email to the musician with
a few dollars - or any amount from one cent up - attached (which will
be billed to the fan's credit card, or deducted from a bank account or
an amount prepaid by check), and when the musician receives the email,
s/he will then be able to "withdraw" the money via a check from
PayPal or direct deposit to a bank account.
There are currently no fees for this service.
So to create your "tip jar" with PayPal, here's what you need
to do:
Visit the PayPal site and sign
up for a free account. All you need is an email address and
a street address. (There's a special limited-time bargain: If you
sign up from the TipJar site listed below, you will receive a $10
"signing bonus" instead of the $5 offered by PayPal.)
On your website, let your fans know how easy it is to contribute
a few bucks to your tip jar:
then log in at the PayPal site, fill in the amount and your
email address on the "send money" page, and click!
- payment has been made.
When you receive an email payment from PayPal, you may have it
mailed to you as a check or deposited directly to your bank account.
TipJar.com
TipJar (www.tipjar.com), following the lead of (now-defunct) First
Virtual, pioneered an email-based payment model in 1996 that is very similar
to what was recently implemented by PayPal (and if you sign up for PayPal
via the TipJar home page, you will receive $5 from PayPal, plus the $5
referral fee PayPal gives to the TipJar proprietor).
Under the TipJar system, the fan just clicks on a button or link to
send money by an email to the musician. The fan is then prompted for payment
information (or a TipJar nickname for registered users), and when the
fan replies to a verification email, payment is sent to the musician.
When the musician receives the email, s/he will then be able to "withdraw"
the money via a check from TipJar.
Email transactions are free. There are small
service charges for requesting/processing checks of under $50, or
requesting/processing checks more than once every four weeks. TipJar processes
PayPal payments at no charge.
Security
is ensured via emailed verification codes. See the About
TipJar page for further details.
So to create your online tip jar with TipJar.com, here's all you need
to do:
Visit the TipJar site and sign up for a free account. All you need is an email address
and a street address.
When you receive an email payment from TipJar, you may have it
mailed to you as a check.
e-gold.com
E-gold (www.e-gold.com) stores the entire 'e-metals' (gold, silver,
platinum, and palladium) account you purchase (by check, wire transfer,
or money order) and allows you to conduct electronic transactions of all
sizes with other account holders. E-gold charges small
fees for storage of metals and for transactions.
Transactions are conducted via secure servers, and accounts are backed
100% by real precious metals stored
in the Bank of Nova Scotia, Toronto, ON, Canada.
See http://www.e-gold.com/samplestore/samplestore.html
for an example of how e-gold accountholders can sell music or artwork
(any web-friendly file) on the Internet, using e-gold's shopping cart
interface. The buyer enters account information on the e-gold
payment order form, and once payment is verified, the buyer is redirected
(via client-side JavaScript) to a "hidden" directory to receive
the file. The buyer, of course, must have JavaScript enabled for this
method to work.
A sufficiently motivated and programming-savvy person could most likely
find her/his way to the file without paying, so if the price of the music
or artwork exceeds the difficulty of eluding the JavaScript, the content
is open to possible theft.
Fairtunes
Fairtunes - www.fairtunes.com - is a free, simple, and easy-to-use service
that allows musicians to receive voluntary contributions or payments from
their fans.
Fans simply visit the Fairtunes website (or use the Winamp music player
plugin) to search for their favorite artist. They can then type in a message
and specify how much they'd like to send. Payments can be made with a
credit card, wire transfer, or PayPal (and e-gold payments will soon be
accepted). Fairtunes then either sends a cheque or electronically transfers
the money to the artist. Note for credit card users: Fairtunes deducts
the credit card processing fee charged by Visa from your contribution
to the artist.
To ensure your fans can send you money with Fairtunes,
Check to see if you're in the Fairtunes database. Most artists
are, but if you're not, follow the instructions on the site to set
yourself up: http://www.fairtunes.com/addartist.jsp.
Tell your fans about it. You can do this by either providing
a simple link to Fairtunes or a more complex one. Follow the instructions
at http://www.fairtunes.com/linkto.jsp.
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
