This month we’ve broken down our activities by board member. We’ve
also printed accounts from Kristin Thomson and Peter DiCola who have
been working so closely with the board that we decided to add their
bios to the FMC "Coalition Members" area:
Walter McDonough
Walter McDonough and the FMC submitted their comments to the Copyright
Office regarding the DMCA. In the coming weeks, after the Coalition
finishes reviewing the other 29 comments that were submitted by interested
parties, we will submit reply comments. Walter also has been working
to establish bridges with independent artists and record labels that
are currently appearing before the European Economic Community’s ongoing
review of digital music distribution. The FMC has categorically endorsed
the work of the Artists’ Coalitions and the National Academy of Recording
Science’s efforts to repeal the controversial "work for hire"
language. Walter is currently interviewing attorneys and law students
who wish to help the FMC. If you want to help, please feel free to
contact him at his e-mail address at digitalmusiclaw [at] yahoo [dot] com.
Brian Zisk
Brian has been out promoting the Future of Music Coalition through
both online and offline means. He’s been working on the organizational
strategy, pushing to formalize its structure as a non-profit. He is
also pulling together a Board of Technical Advisors that will be able
to objectively evaluate any solutions brought to our attention with
both an understanding of the technology and commitment to valuing
the work of musicians. Brian is also trying to find a Development
Manager to handle fundraising for the Coalition. If you know a fundraiser
who has contacts in the music community and appreciates what we’re
doing, please send them his way: zisk [at] well [dot] com.
Michael Bracy
Beyond focusing on helping the Future of Music Coalition incorporate
as a 501c(3) non-profit, Michael and the Government Relations staff
took advantage of convention season to make a quick field trip out
to the left coast, where they enjoyed meeting with a number of folks
from the technology world. We are also focusing in on the policy implications
of the November elections, and preparing for the December Future of
Music policy conference.
Jenny Toomey
Jenny spent much of the last month on the road traveling to Nashville,
Chicago, Los Angeles & San Francisco meeting with members of the
music and technology community and solidifying FMC goals. When she
wasn’t traveling, Jenny managed to finish her solo record, publish
new pieces on CNET
and The
Machine and made a guest appearance with Michael and Brian —
who’s a regular — on the Ken Radio show "Speculations".
You can listen to the clips at:
http://206.228.105.180/audio/spec812.ram
or http://206.228.105.180/audio/spec812.asx .
She is currently working with Michael to secure the coalition’s status
as a non-profit group and to nail down the details of what will truly
be an amazing policy conference in Washington DC this coming January!
Kristin Thomson
Besides pitching in on the plans for the January policy conference,
Kristin continues her work writing and editing articles for The Machine
at Insound.com. She is focusing on fostering more self-sufficiency
in the community, so that the indie bands and labels can continue
to build a strong, supportive network both online and in the real
world. For example, she is currently researching the variety of options
that are available for exchanging money on the internet, from credit
card processing to PayPal to TipJar. With election season drawing
nearer, Kristin will also be working with Michael Bracy on a voter’s
guide - alerting the community about key races and hot issues to remember
in November.
Peter DiCola
Peter’s previous article "The Economics of Recorded Music : From
Free Market to Just Plain Free" has the honor of being the most
commented upon piece in the history of The Machine. In the near future,
Peter will be sharing the results of a focus group conducted on music,
technology, and all things Napster. The participants? His 17-year-old
sister and her friends, who did not disappoint. With their considerable
insights and formidable bantering skills, these kids had plenty to
say. Also on the horizon from Peter: a look at a real-life example
of the possible future of music, and a socioeconomic discussion of
the devaluation of musicians’ work.