Washington, D.C.— Top names in music, law, technology and policy will gather in Washington, DC from October 4-6, 2009 for the eighth Future of Music Policy Summit, which provides an unprecedented forum for artists, advocates, policymakers, attorneys, entrepreneurs and industry leaders to discuss the crucial issues facing the music community.  

Future of Music Policy Summit 2009
http://www.futureofmusic.org/events/summit09

Widely praised by advocates and industry alike, FMC’s Policy Summits have gained a reputation as “a kind of Geneva where all sides in any number of contentious music industry fights can get together and play nice for a few days.” As the Washington Post wrote while covering FMC’s event in 2004, “[Policy Summit] offers pinstriped Washingtonians a rare opportunity to hear musicians articulate their concerns in person instead of relying on competing lobbying groups that claim to espouse their interests.”

At Policy Summit 2009, a spectacular mix of speakers and panelists will come together for thought-provoking conversations about the future of music and the artists who will shape it.

FMC is particularly thrilled to announce that U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-MN) will be joining us on Monday, October 5.

On Tuesday, October 6, attendees will hear from Daniel Ek, founder of Spotify — the potentially game-changing music service that’s sweeping Europe and generating incredible buzz in America, where the service is expected to launch this year.

Also appearing at Policy Summit 2009 is Brian Message — a partner in Courtyard Management, the team that represents Radiohead, Supergrass and the 22-20s.

Another exciting speaker is Ian Rogers of Topsin Media, a company that lets artists directly market to their fans using a variety of innovative techniques. Topspin recently assisted David Byrne and Brian Eno in self-releasing of their critically acclaimed album Everything That Happens Will Happen Today.

Throughout the Summit, prominent musicians from a variety of genres will also give their direct thoughts about how they’re adapting to an increasingly networked (and noisy) world. Artist participants in Policy Summit 2009 include jazz pianist Vijay Iyer, Wayne Kramer of MC5, musician/songwriters Erin McKeown and Nicole Atkins, as well as Mac McCaughan, co-owner of Merge Records and member of Superchunk and Portastatic.

The programming at this event will include both practical, musician-focused workshops and inspired panel discussions featuring the sharpest minds in the music/technology space. Visionary presentations will highlight new approaches to a sustainable music ecosystem. Breakout sessions, working groups and interactive technologies like webcasting and social media will give participants multiple ways to engage in these important conversations. Opportunities for networking will come via cocktail parties, a documentary film screening and a live music event.

Policy Summit 2009 Registration:
http://www.futureofmusic.org/eventrelated/registration-pricing

As with all FMC events, a limited number of musician scholarships are available:
http://www.futureofmusic.org/eventrelated/scholarships-working-musicians

Press credentialing:
http://www.futureofmusic.org/eventrelated/press-credentialing

Confirmed speakers (as of August 31, 2009):

Ken Abdo Vice President and co-chair of Entertainment Law Department, Lommen Abdo Law Firm
Tony Berman Founder, Berman Entertainment and Technology Law
Michael Bracy Policy Director, Future of Music Coalition
Helen Bruner Producer, Songwriter, and Grammy-nominated artist, Phil’erzy Productions
David Carson General Counsel, U.S. Copyright Office
Ann Chaitovitz Owner, Ann Chaitovitz Consulting
Candace Clement Campaign Coordinator, Free Press
John Crigler Owner, Garvey Shubert Barer
Peter DiCola Assistant Professor of Law, Northwestern University
Daniel Ek Founder and CEO, Spotify
Harold Feld Legal Director, Public Knowledge
Senator Al Franken, D-Minnesota
Duncan Freeman Founder and President, Band Metrics
Scott Goodstein Founder, Revolutionary Messaging
Jim Griffin Founder, Choruss
Jordan Hirsch Executive Director, Sweet Home New Orleans
Seth Hurwitz Chairman, IMP
Ariel Hyatt Founder and Owner, Ariel Cyber PR
Vijay Iyer jazz pianist
Peter Jaszi Professor of Law and Faculty Director of the Glushko-Samuelson Intellectual Property Clinic, American University
Roberta R. Katz Special Advisor, Technology, U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division
Rob Kaye Founder and Lead Developer, MusicBrainz
Greg Kot Columnist, Chicago Tribune
Wayne Kramer Musician, MC5
Mac McCaughan Co-founder, Merge Records; Musician, Portastatic, Superchunk
Alex Maiolo HINT Program Coordinator, Future of Music Coalition
Charlie McEnerney Founder and Producer, Well-Rounded Radio
Kembrew McLeod Associate Professor, University of Iowa
Brian Message Partner, Courtyard Management
David Oxenford Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Tim Quirk Vice President of Music Programming, Rhapsody
Paul Rapp Owner, The Law Offices of Paul C. Rapp
Ian Rogers CEO, TopSpin Media
Patrick Ross Executive Director, Copyright Alliance; Chairman, Copyright Alliance Education Foundation
Jim Selby CEO, Naxos of America
Johanna Shelton Senior Policy Counsel & Legislative Strategist, Google Inc.
John Strohm Associate Attorney, Johnston Barton
Kristin Thomson Education Director, Future of Music Coalition
Marcy Rauer Wagman Associate Professor, Drexel University; CEO and Founder, MAD Dragon UNLTD
Emily White Partner, Whitesmith Entertainment
Brian Zisk Co-founder, Collecta; Founder and Executive Producer, SanFran MusicTech Summit and Future of Money Summit

About Future of Music Coalition
Future of Music Coalition is a national non-profit education, research and advocacy organization that seeks a bright future for creators and listeners. FMC works towards this goal through continuous interaction with its primary constituency — musicians — and in collaboration with other creator/public interest groups.