Here’s some big news right out of the gate: FMC’s board has chosen a new Executive Director. Her name is Lissa Rosenthal, and we can’t wait ’til she officially joins us on May 1.

Lissa’s talents are many and varied. She previously served as Programs Director for the American Council for the Arts (presently Americans for the Arts), where she spearheaded national Arts Advocacy Day and the Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy. As Development Director of P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center — an affiliate of The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City — Lissa led fundraising and community outreach initiatives for the internationally renowned institution, produced its highly acclaimed Warm Up music series and played a vital role in the historic merger with MoMA.  

During her tenure as National Program Director for PAX: Real Solutions to Gun Violence, Lissa directed its two highly acclaimed national public health campaigns dedicated to reducing youth gun violence in America (ASK and SPEAK UP). She has also worked extensively in AIDS fundraising and event production, raising millions of dollars and awareness for AIDS service organizations nationwide. Read her bio here.

Oh, and she’s really into music and improving conditions for creators. We also hear she’s an amazing cook. Is it too early to start bugging her to bring treats to the office?

We’re also really excited to announce that our Interim Executive Director, Jean Cook, will be transitioning to Director of Programs, where she’ll continue her kickass work at the intersection of policy, education and research.

Please join us in welcoming Lissa to the FMC team!

Press release

This year has already seen a host of policy developments that will affect the entire music ecosystem — from network neutrality and the FCC’s authority to regulate the internet to international copyright concerns to the impact of health care reform on the music community. FMC’s DC Policy Day 2010 will bring these issues into focus through informed presentations and panel discussions. A live webcast will bring the conversation to a global audience of artists, academics, industry professionals, journalists, music fans and more.

Join us for this FREE event in Washington, DC hosted by New America Foundation. Can’t make it to the District? Be sure to tune in to our interactive live webcast.

DC Policy Day
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
New America Foundation
1899 L Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC
RSVP here
Live webcast will be available.

Topics to be covered include the hotly debated Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), the recent Live Nation/Ticketmaster merger, efforts to preserve an open internet, and the health insurance landscape for musicians following the passage of historic health care legislation. Policy Day 2010 will also examine how the creative industries are faring under current Washington leadership as we head into a new election cycle.

Space is limited so RSVP today!

By now, you my have heard about the April 6 decision at the DC District Court of Appeals that said the FCC did not have the authority to issue its previous order telling Comcast to stop messing with BitTorrent traffic. As it turns out, the Court ruling went way further than that, tossing out the Commission’s entire legal rationale for regulating the internet.

The decision throws into question the FCC’s ability to proceed with two major initiatives: its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Net Neutrality and the National Broadband Plan. We’ve been talking about the net neutrality rulemaking for a little while now. Remember that handy “comment tool” we designed to help you tell the FCC how you use the internet in your lives and careers? Well, now it’s even more important to let them know what you think. Luckily, the Commission extended the comments deadline for the third time. Now you have until April 26 to file, so get to it!

Back to the court decision. A lot of people are wondering what comes next. It’s important to keep in mind that the judges didn’t say the FCC couldn’t regulate the internet at all — just that the legal theories they used to do so were inappropriate. The Commission is currently weighing its options, one of which would be to “reclassify” ISPs like Comcast under a different portion of the Telecommunications Act, which would allow the FCC to regulate them under well-established authorities. This is something a lot of public interest groups are calling for. Another option, though likely a longshot, is to have Congress pass legislation giving the FCC the explicit authority to regulate the internet. Which they basically already have, but this would make it beyond question.

We at FMC aren’t as concerned about how the FCC issues clear and enforceable net neutrality rules — we just want them to get it done. That said, we’re paying close attention to how this all gets sorted out. We’ve also been helping explain the situation to musicians, fans and the media. Here’s a roundup:

FMC blog post, April 6, 2010: Court Rules in Favor of Comcast in Internet Case

FMC blog post, April 7, 2010: What’s Next for the “Series of Tubes?”

FMC’s Michael Bracy talks net neutrality on Sound Opinions on April 16, 2010

FMC’s Casey Rae-Hunter talks net neutrality on RTTV’s Alyona Show April 7, 2010

The FCC and the Internet
New York Times editorial on reclassification, April 18, 2010

On April 7, we wrapped up our “Taking the Pulse” survey, which assessed the number of musicians currently covered by health insurance. We want to thank those of you who took the time to answer our questions — by doing so, you help us keep track of developments as we move into a new landscape for insurance.

We’re still crunching the numbers, and will publish an official report shortly. But here are some early stats for your consideration.

Of the 1,451 respondents, 33 percent said they do not have health insurance. This is lower than the 44 percent that responded that they didn’t have health insurance during FMC’s 2002 survey, but still twice the national average of 18 percent uninsured. 

Of those who responded that they do have insurance, 29 percent are on an employer plan, while 29 percent are paying for it themselves. The number of musicians paying for a private insurance plan is remarkably higher than the percentage of the general public on private plans.

Our survey shows that the primary reason that musicians don’t have health insurance is the cost of the coverage. In fact, 86 percent of respondents said that cost was the prevailing factor. 

The survey data also indicates that many musicians didn’t know about plans offered by some unions and music organizations. 75 percent of respondents did not know about these plans, but 45 percent said they’d consider joining a musicians’ organization if it meant they could obtain insurance.

We’ve been talking to the press about musicians and health insurance quite a bit lately, as folks try to wrap their heads around what the passage of health care reform legislation might mean for musicians.

Better Days
Alex Maiolo, HINT Project Coordinator
Billboard, April 3, 2010

Chicago band beat the odds in van crash
Health insurance helps band members heal
Chicago Tribune, April 4, 2010

What’s the Matter with Sweden?
Article compares US health care policies to other countries
Pitchfork, March 29, 2010

Crawdaddy article about our survey

What the heck are “white spaces?” the short answer is that they’re the portions of the old analog TV spectrum that can be used in exciting new ways by cutting edge devices. Eventually, these technologies may help deliver broadband internet to hard-to-wire areas. On the other hand, opening up this spectrum to new devices means that wireless microphone users will have to get new equipment that works on another frequency. Why? Because the FCC says so.

This is a complicated issue, but FMC thinks its relevant to musicians who will likely depend on new technologies enabled by white spaces to reach audiences in the future. Of course, we also understand the concerns of current wireless microphone users who are being vacated from a portion of the spectrum they’ve used for decades.

Our Operations Coordinator Nicole Duffey has been following the issue closely and whipped up a blog post that makes all of this a snap to understand. Check it out here.

Copyright. It kind of hurts the brain sometimes, but it’s basically what the whole music business is built on. Recently, FMC tackled a couple of complex copyright issues — the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) and the impending “termination of transfer” — on our blog.

ACTA is an international trade agreement that seeks to establish international standards on intellectual property enforcement among participating nations including the US, the European Commission, Japan, Australia, Canada, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. So why should music people care? Well, portions of ACTA contain enforcement mechanisms for dealing with the unlawful distribution of copyrighted content over the internet. You know, like music and movies. Head to FutureBlog for a more in-depth overview of the current ACTA draft text.

In 2013, a whole bunch of artists creators will see copyrights that they signed away in 1978 revert back to them. All of this is made possible by the 1976 Copyright Act, which went into effect in 1978. Under the 35-year reversion terms of the 1976 Act, copyrights made after Jan. 1, 1978 are eligible to once again become the creator’s property. But it’s not that simple. There are a few unresolved legal issues that threaten to muddle the “termination of transfer” process. Check out this post to learn what they are.

On April 2, the US Department of Commerce declared its support of the Performance Right Act, which would compensate performing artists and sound copyright holders for the over-the-air broadcast of their work.

In a letter to chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Commerce general counsel Cameron Kerry stated that a performance right for terrestrial radio would provide “fair compensation to America’s performers and record companies,” and that it is “a matter of fundamental fairness to performers.” According to the statement, the right would also “provide a level playing field for all broadcasters to compete in the current environment of rapid technological change, including the Internet, satellite and terrestrial broadcasters.”

Currently, terrestrial radio broadcasters have an exemption that means they don’t have to pay the performing artist or sound copyright owner (usually the label, but it can also be the artist) for over-the-air spins. It’s important to remember that there’s already a performance right for digital broadcasts, including webcasters, satellite radio and those non-video music channels on the high end of your cable TV dial.

FMC has supported – and continues to support – a performance right for terrestrial radio because we think that compensating artists directly for their work is always a good idea. And that’s what we tell decisionmakers, too, like when FMC’s Kristin Thomson participated in the Grammys on the Hill event on April 15.

For more info on the administration’s support of the performance right, check out this blog post.

And our Public Performance Right for Sound Recordings fact sheet.

On April 3, FMC participated in a cool DC event called If I Ruled the Blogosphere: Hip-Hop Blogs and Social Change. The panel featured prominent hip-hop bloggers in a dynamic conversation about how artists are gaining traction online and the impact of technology on music promotion. FMC’s Casey Rae-Hunter talked about how policy shapes what the hip-hop community does, where it goes and what it says on the online. He also presented information that bloggers, artists, and fans can use to protect their right to free speech and entrepreneurship via the open internet. Check out the video archive here.

On April 17, FMC Policy Director Michael Bracy chatted with Windy City music scribes Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis on Sound Opinions — a weekly talk show from Chicago Public Radio and American Public Media. Michael explained why net neutrality  — the principle that protects the open internet — is so important to musicians and fans. Check it out here.

On April 19, Kristin Thomson appeared on a CD Baby podcast. Kristin talked about musicians and radio, and how independent artists have had a difficult time cracking playlists due to consolidation in commercial station ownership and payola. She also brought up initiatives to expand community radio, such as LPFM legislation currently in Congress. Check it out here (episode #089).

On Sunday, April 25, FMC’s Casey Rae-Hunter will be in Buffalo, NY for Producing and Selling Music II: Changes in the Music Industry, which takes place at the University of Buffalo North Campus, Knox Lecture Hall, Room 110 from 1 PM – 4:30 PM. Casey will talk about new business models for independent musicians, and describe a handful of current policy issues that impact artists and fans. To register: http://www.producingandsellingmusic.com/

On Sunday, May 16, FMC’s Kristin Thomson and Jean Cook will head to Oakland CA, where they’ll team up with the East Bay Community Foundation and The San Francisco Foundation to present Musicplus: a day-long music/technology seminar designed to hone the skills of musicians and composers. If you’re interested in this event, email kristin [at] futureofmusic [dot] org and she can give you details.

Don’t forget about these two upcoming events organized by FMC’s very own Technologies Director, Brian Zisk.

The Future of Money & Technology Summit brings together the best and brightest thinkers around money. This includes visionaries, entrepreneurial business folk, developers, press, investors, authors, solution providers, service providers and the organizations that work with them at the convergence of commerce and technology. Attendees meet to discuss the evolving money ecosystem in a proactive, dealmaking-friendly environment.

The Future of Money & Technology Summit
Hotel Kabuki, San Francisco, CA
Monday, April 26, 2010
9am – 6pm + cocktail party
http://www.futureofmoney.com

The sixth installment of Brian’s San Fran MusicTech Summit takes place on Monday, May 17 at the Hotel Kabuki. SFMT convenes the most forward-looking minds in the music technology space to talk about the ever-evolving landscape for digital music and the challenges and opportunities it presents. FMC’s Lissa Rosenthal, Kristin Thomson and Jean Cook will join the hundreds of folks sure to be in attendance for another super-fine event.

SanFran MusicTech Summit
Hotel Kabuki, San Francisco, CA
Monday, May 17, 2010
9am – 6pm + cocktail party
http://www.sanfranmusictech.com

And here’s another cool event: On Sunday, May 16, Philadelphia-based music attorneys Marcy Rauer Wagman and Andy Blackman Hurwitz will be presenting a comprehensive seminar Show Me The Money: How To Earn a Living in the Modern Day Music Industry.

Three distinct panels will examine the present state of the industry from every possible angle, encourage participation and questions from the audience and also create a unique networking opportunity for anyone interested in a career (or hobby!) in this business of music. 

Panelists include legendary producer/emcee Schooly D.; Marc Brownstein from the Disco Biscuits; Tom Moon, former music critic Philadelphia Inquirer and author of 1000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die ; Jason Jordan, SR. VP A&R, Hollywood Records; Cole Thomas, General Manager & CFO, Revel Music; Marc Allan from Red Light Management; Jeremy Holgersen from The Agency Group; Geoff Gordon from Live Nation Philadelphia; Myles Grosofsky from Big Hassle Publicity; Josh Sarubin, VP A&R from Sony/ATV Music Publishing; Dan Kelly from Topspin Media; and Dan Reed, Program Director WXPN

Show Me the Money
Marbar, 40th and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia, PA
Sunday, May 16
2 - 7 PM
$20 gets you in the door, plus all the tacos you can eat. Full bar
available. Tickets available at:
http://wagmanhurwitz.com/

Will you be in DC this summer and think you’ve got what it takes to intern with FMC? We are currently still searching for the right person to intern with our Interim Executive Director Jean Cook this summer. This is a great opportunity for someone looking to gain a more in depth perspective of the music policy world.

We are open to any major and to applicants who are not in school as well. Our most successful interns have been people with some relationship to, and passion for, the music industry. In addition to that, we look for the usual stuff: excellent reading/writing ability, attention to detail and a working knowledge of MS Word, Excel and internet skills are required. As Jean’s intern, you will be conducting open source research regarding developments in our core work areas, including tracking dockets at the FCC, reading industry publications and aiding in research of funding opportunities in addition to assisting with office work such as filing/copying/faxing as needed.

Flexible schedule, cool coworkers, the chance to learn more about the music industry and policy than you ever dreamed! For more details visit our positions page or email nicole [at] futureofmusic [dot] org.