The Future of Music Coalition wants you to get involved in the critical
legal, political and economic issues regarding artists' rights and new
technologies in the digital age. Here are some suggestions:
Sign and Endorse the Manifesto
In order for the Future of Music to continue to gather strength on Capitol
Hill, we need to show the number of supporters who are willing to stand
behind the notion that artists deserve to be compensated fairly for
their work. If you haven't done so already, read
and sign the Manifesto. This will not only inform you about our
position on a number of issues, but will add your name to the growing
list of FMC supporters.
Become an FMC Volunteer
The Future of Music Coalition is looking for volunteers for a number
of projects. Click here for more about volunteering
for the FMC.
Organize a Video Viewing
We've got videotapes of all of the panels from the 2001 FMC Policy Conference,
which was held at Georgetown University in Washington, DC last January.
In July we set up a series of video viewings at the Black Cat in Washington,
DC where musicians and interested folks got together and re-lived the
conference fireworks over a few beers.
If you are interested in doing something similar in your neck of the
woods, contact jenny@futureofmusic.org
and we'll try to figure out a way to get some copies of the videos into
circulation.
You can always do this informally on the web thanks to the folks at
Webnoize, who videotaped the entire conference and offer digital streams
version of the various panels in the Real Audio format. Go here to see the panels and presentations.
Exchange SoundExchange
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the same group
responsible for suing MP3.com and Napster and getting the "Work
for Hire" clause passed has created a entity called SoundExchange
to attempt to collect and distribute the royalties from webcasters
who stream music.
The Future of Music Coalition has grave concerns about the RIAA's
capacity to act as an impartial party in royalty collection considering
the fact that the organization does *not* speak for the entire music
industry and is largely funded by and solely represents the interests
of the five major record labels. Read our press
release about the issue.
As citizens we're further concerned that money generated by musicians
is not flowing back to the creators in fair proportions.
Considering these clear conflicts of interest, the lack of active
participation of independent artists in such a system, and the money
at stake, we believe that all musicians deserve a better choice.
If you believe that musicians deserve a better choice, then let the
US Copyright Office know.Read and endorse the statement below.
"Exchange SoundExchange for Something that Really Fits"
I do not support the RIAA's effort to collect royalties through its
SoundExchange organization and respectfully ask the Copyright Office
to create a third-party collective that would be entrusted with the
task of collecting Digital Performance Royalties for Sound Recordings.
Instead I support the establishment of a system that will include:
independent arbitration for dispute resolution;
democratic voting procedures for all members;
open and transparent accounting and payment systems; and
inclusive board membership; and a technologically advanced
tracking system that will provide the most accurate database
for royalty payment.
If you agree with the points listed above and want to support the effort
to Exchange SoundExchange, sign below. In the "affiliation"
box, please type the name of your band or the record label you represent.
If you're a music fan, a technology developer, or an activist, please
enter that information instead.
Some Great Sites for News and Info on Music, Technology,
Media and Activism
TECHNOLOGY/POLICY
Politech
Run by journalist Declan McCullagh, Politech is a fantastic moderated
mailing list of politics and technology. Topics include privacy, free
speech, the role of government and corporations, antitrust, and more.
MUSIC and ADVOCACY
Music for
America is a nonprofit organization striving to get young people
involved in the political process. Using music, media, the internet and
live shows, they're reaching out to demonstrate the connection between
culture and politics.
Punkvoter's
goal is to educate, register and mobilize over 500,000 of today's youth
as one voice. They plan to use the 2004 federal election as a way to get
our fans engaged in politics and evolve into a movement that can get involved
locally to affect real change nationally.
Recording
Artists Coalition
The group started by Don Henley, Sheryl Crow and others, the RAC is working
on many legislative issues that impact recording artists.
Artist
Empowerment Coalition
AEC is a non-profit coalition of recording and performing artists as well
as music supporters formed to promote changes in the relationships between
artists and the companies that exploit, market and distribute their creative
work.
