The Future of Music Coalition Nationwide Speaking Tour
Sponsored in part by
the Center for the Public Domain
October - November 2001
While the focus of the Future of Music Coalition is a digital future,
much of the most valuable work today comes from face-to-face discussion.
Much of the broader challenge, particularly Napster-happy students, is
helping citizens understand the critical distinction between supporting
their favorite artists versus supporting a fundamentally flawed industry
structure. This involves a more sophisticated understanding of the current
discussions surrounding copyright law, royalty collection in the digital
realm, the protection of copyrighted work through encryption and watermarking,
and the use of legislation and lawsuits to protect established business
models. It is also important that we begin to raise awareness within the
music and academic communities. These issues, which are often reported
in the media as centralized struggles between isolated business interests,
need to be understood in the light of their larger impact on creators
and citizens.
In an effort to broaden the educational component of the organization,
the FMC organized a Fall Speaking Tour that visited a number of colleges
and universities nationwide October - November, 2001.
The goals of the Speaking Tour were:
to clearly present the key policy issues in the realm of digital technology,
artists' rights, and the music industry, using evidence from the history
of policymaking to the outcome of recent court cases and corporate strategies;
to educate students and academics about the real-world challenges
that nonprofit think tanks face when participating in policy work on
Capitol Hill; and
to engage in a meaningful debate with students, academics, and community
members about these critical issues. By moderating a legitimate and
informed discussion, the FMC will be better prepared to serve as a representative
for the variety of stakeholders who can be affected by changes in communications
policy, copyright law and corporate contracts.
Some topics of discussion included:
Traditional Music Business Models:
Do they serve musicians, do they serve citizens? A discussion about
the structure of the music industry, including the artificial constriction
of the marketplace through the "star-making" system.
The Copyright Bargain:
Have recent increases in copyright protection -- encryption and watermarking
-- served their intended purpose of guarding the value of creative labor?
The Digital Commons:
How will musicians and citizens benefit from a future where knowledge
and creativity are increasingly patented and owned?
This tour featured national and local speakers to help educate undergraduate,
graduate and law students on the basic FMC agenda and to identify specific
steps students and faculty can take if they are interested in these issues.
These events also provided a local focus for media attention in these
communities, including targeted outreach to public radio, alternative
weeklies and daily newspapers.
For more information about the content of the presentation:
