Recording artists and indie labels: there’s a movement afoot to change the way that you would receive your digital public performance royalties, and it’s not a good one, especially for recording artists. Back in August, we examined news of a Sirius/XM move towards direct licensing, expressing our serious displeasure. Over on the FMC blog, we explain just why the current statutory licensing structure is better for all stakeholders. Hypebot and other sites also published versions of the post.

Here at FMC, we want artists to get the money they’re owed for the use of their music on any platform. The statutory rate for digital performance plus direct payment via SoundExchange is an important piece of the compensation puzzle for creators. Bypassing it might benefit the bottom lines of major corporations in the short run, but it’s a dangerous thing for performing artists. We’re not the only ones paying attention: the New York Times recently ran a story on the controversy and included a quote from FMC.

The internet is at risk today as the Senate debates a resolution that would strip the FCC of its rulemaking authority to preserve its openness. S.J. Res. 6, similar to a House measure passed in April, needs only a simple majority to pass. The vote, expected Thursday, November 11, is likely to be very close. The clock is ticking, but it’s not too late to make your voice heard.

Back in November 2010, the FCC’s approved rules to prevent Internet Service Providers (ISPs), from blocking, slowing or restricting access to lawful sites and services based on business or other preferences. Not only is this crucial for consumers, it is important to musicians and other entrepreneurs who need to compete in a legitimate digital marketplace. Thousands of musicians from every conceivable background have gone on the record in support of an open and accessible internet. Check out our Rock the Net page to see their perspectives. More at the FMC blog.

Recently, members of the US House of Representatives introduced legislation called the “Stop Online Piracy Act,” or SOPA. The stated goal of the bill is pretty much what its name implies. Specifically, it deals with US access to foreign websites that traffic in the unauthorized distribution of intellectual property. As an organization that wants to ensure that artists can maximize the value of their copyrights, FMC is interested in any legislative or policy proposal that would help musicians protect their rights online. However, this bill, like many that have come before, raises serious concerns about unintended consequences. Over on the FMC blog we break down exactly what we think needs to be changed to protect musicians while ensuring innovation can flourish. 

We invite anyone who wants to respond — pro or con — to do so in the blog’s comments or contact us about a guest post.

We’re excited to announce that footage from the 2011 Future of Music Policy Summit is now available online, with the entire event to be rolled out over the next several weeks.  Did you step out of the auditorium for a phone call or a networking event? We’ve got you covered. Not able to join us in DC this year? The whole event is archived online for your next movie night.  Videos already up, with more to come:

Getting Cozy with Blanket Licenses
Keynote: Register of Copyrights Maria Pallante
Federal Infrastructure Extravaganza
Keynote: Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA)
In Conversation: Rick Nielsen and Dave Frey
In Conversation: Ulises Bella and Raul Pacheco of Ozomatli
Honoring FCC Commissioner Michael Copps
Get Your Tickets Here
Money from Music Intro
Money from Music: Session Musicians
Money from Music: The Jazz Conversation
Money from Music: Artist to Fan Relationships
Money from Music: The Songwriter Conversation

For the past year, FMC has been managing the Artist Revenue Streams project, a multi-method, cross-genre examination of how musicians’ and composers’ income streams are changing. Our small research team has completed about 80 interviews with a range of US-based musicians and composers and three financial case studies, with more in the works. On September 6, we launched the third part of the methodology, the Money from Music survey, a groundbreaking effort to capture data from US-based musicians and composers about their revenue picture and how it’s changing over time. Through a combination of marketing, media coverage and partnership outreach, the survey was a huge success, with thousands of musicians and composers participating. The survey closed October 28, and now the team is doing data analysis. We will begin releasing findings - which will draw from all phases of the research - during a series of events in early 2012.

If you took the survey, THANK YOU. If you told others to do the same, THANK YOU AGAIN. This work wouldn’t be possible without your support. We look forward to sharing the results with you in the coming months. http://futureofmusic.org/ars

FMC’s staff will be all over the map this month at events. Come say hello if we’re in your neck of the woods.

On Thursday, November 10, COO and Events Director Chhaya Kapadia will be hosting a panel at DCWEEK on Music in a Digital Age. Today’s music industry is changing rapidly for musicians and music fans thanks to the digital revolution and sophisticated user-friendly technologies. In this session, we’ll be meeting a group of creators and industry players who are using technology to change the music landscape. What innovative techno-centric projects are DC-based Bluebrain working on, and how are they getting the word out to their fans? What challenges do musicians in developing countries face, and how is Peacetones helping them join the digital music revolution? How does digital music collection agency SoundExchange ensure artists are paid? Join us for a fascinating peek into the ways technology is revolutionizing the music industry, both in the US and around the world. Join FMC’s Chhaya Kapadia, Ruha Devanesan, Ryan Holladay, and Sean Glover on Thursday, November 10, 2011, from 4 - 5 pm at the Artisphere - Blackbox Theater in Arlington, VA.

On Friday, November 12, FMC’s Casey Rae-Hunter will be speaking on a panel at Harvard Law School; we’ll let you know if it gets archived.

If you’re student or faculty at Virginia Tech, come join us on Wednesday, November 30 at 7:30 pm at the Old Dominion Ballroom (ODB) in the Squires Student Center at Virginia Tech for a panel discussion on students and music consumption. FMC’s Kristin Thomson will be leading a panel discussion with a manager, an artist, Virginia Tech students and faculty on the results of a recent collaborative study by VT and FMC.

FMC is co-sponsoring a unique open mic event with One Common Unity on “The Digital Divide and Net Neutrality” on November 20 from 8 - 10 pm at the 5th & K Busboys and Poets in Washington, DC. Casey will be joining other speakers to talk about the open internet and affordable access.

Founding board member Brian Zisk will be speaking at the International Music Festival on December 5 in Austin, TX as part of a panel on “Social Media Marketing and Audience Engagement at Your Festival.” He’s also announced the next SanFran MusicTech Summit for February 13, 2012; FMC newsletter readers can get a special 10% off SFMT registration by using the code “FMC.” We’ll see you there!

And those Money from Music survey results we mentioned? Our research team will be unveiling some inital exclusive nuggets at MIDEM on Monday, January 30, 2012 as part of their Visonary Monday programming.

Who doesn’t need a snazzy new t-shirt? Show your friends how much you support FMC with our super-comfortable 100% cotton conversation starter! Get your own here. We’ve also got a limited number of special edition posters designed exclusively for FMC by iconic rocker Jon Langford.

You can always contact us at suggestions [at] futureofmusic [dot] org if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Lissa Rosenthal
Jean Cook
Michael Bracy
Walter McDonough
Brian Zisk
Kristin Thomson
Casey Rae-Hunter
Chhaya Kapadia
Hannah Byam
Alex Maiolo
Anna-Kaisa Kalia

Donate to the Future of Music Coalition!
Secure online donations are accepted at any level