World Copyright Summit Coming to DC

Copyright issues continue to be front-and-center in discussions about creative content in a rapidly-evolving digital environment. And tensions between technology and intellectual property aren't just a U.S. concern — these issues impact entertainment industries and creative economies across the globe, and ultimately shape how music (and other art and media) is created, distributed and accessed.

On June 9 and 10, The World Copyright Summit takes place at the Ronald Reagan Center in Washington, D.C. The event will examine issues impacting creators in the digital age, particularly questions like: what does the future hold? How will creative works be produced, distributed and consumed? How will creators receive reward for their works and what new challenges face users regarding regulation? These are just some of the big-picture issues to be discussed during the two-day Summit. Did we mention that FMC is one of the media partners for WCS? We’ll be at the event and hope to report back on what goes down.

The Summit features key US, European and Asian copyright policy makers as well as world-class creators, industry leaders and over 450 delegates from 53 countries.

Top keynote speakers include Robin Gibb (from a little group called the Bee Gees), US Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Senator Patrick J. Leahy , French Minister of Culture and Communication Christine Albanel , Korean National Assembly Culture and Broadcasting Committee member Dr. Yong-Kyung Lee, National Music Publishers Association President/ CEO David Israelite and Universal Music Publishing Group Chairman/CEO David Renzer — to name a few.

For more information on how to register or to take a look at the full agenda of the event and the list of speakers go to: www.copyrightsummit.com.

FMC's Kristin Thomson on the mic

This coming week, FMC's Education Director Kristin Thomson is participating in a number of very cool events.  If you're in DC or Philadelphia, or somewhere in between, consider checking these out:

Monday, June 9

Copyright for the Working Musician in a Digital Age

6:00 - 9:00 PM

Coral Street Arts House, 2446 Coral Street, Philadelphia, PA

Free

Join us for an informal discussion about copyright and musicians with two Philly-based musicians. Future of Music Coalition's Kristin Thomson (Tsunami/Simple Machines Records) and Marcy Rauer Wagman, entertainment attorney, CEO of MAD Dragon Records and Director of the Music Industry Program at Drexel University will help musicians better understand some of the mundane (as well as arcane) aspects of copyright law, and how they can impact today's musicians on a practical, daily level. This is a really exciting opportunity to hear two experts in the field speak on copyright, technology and music...for FREE. Bring your questions!

Organized by Jim Ayre of OASTEM! and Fern Knight.

RSVP or more info at this Facebook page, if you do that sort of thing:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=28019227592

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Wednesday, June 11

Ignite: Philly

6:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Johnny Brenda's, 1201 North Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 

Free

If you had five minutes on stage what would you say? What if you only got 20 slides and they rotated automatically after 15 seconds?

Ignite is a series of speakers talking about inspiring projects for five minutes. The presentations can be serious, funny, or somewhere in between.

Speakers include: The iSepta guys, Kristin Thomson of the Future of Music Coalition, NO CARRIER, 100K house, Pete Tridish of the Prometheus Radio Project, Alex Hillman of Indy Hall, Sara Selepouchin of Etsy, Brian Lang from The Food Trust, and several more. The speakers are all doing exciting and inspiring things in Philadelphia.

The coordinators of Ignite Philly are Geoff DiMasi & Alex Gilbert of P'unk Avenue, the Junto, Vanja Buvac & Far McKon of The Hacktory, and Make:Philly.

See the whole list here:
http://ignitephilly.org/

RSVP and more info at:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=15664089821 

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Thursday, June 12
6:30 - 9:00 PM
Distributing and Promoting Your Music on the Internet
Artomatic, 1200 First Street NE, Washington, DC
Free

On June 12, Education Director Kristin Thomson will join Erik Gilbert (Vice President Content, IODA), Amy Schriefer (Product Manager, NPR Music), Chris MacDonald (indiefeed.com) and Rebecca Gordon for "Distributing and Promoting Your Music on the Internet", an informative discussion that will highlight ways to do just that.

Coordinated by entertainment attorney Nancy Prager.

Attend National Performing Arts Convention for Free!

Attention Colorado readers (we know you're out there)!

As you may know, FMC makes all of its events free for musicians. We also do our best to offer free musician access to the events we participate in. It's all because we believe artist voices need to be heard in discussions about the future of music. Case in point: the upcoming National Performing Arts Convention, which takes place in Denver on June 10-14. If you're a musician and would like to attend, you could be in luck, as FMC snagged a handful of free registrations for artists.

NPAC is a major convening of people and organizations in the fields of music, dance, opera, theater and other disciplines. The event brings 5,000 members of the performing arts community to Denver to participate in a wide variety of panels, breakout discussions, workshops and art-making sessions. Two major themes of the convention are ArtsTown 2028, a vision for the future of arts in local communities presented by the city of Denver, and a three-day Town Hall Meeting overseen by AmericaSpeaks, during which every convention delegate will have an opportunity to have his or her voice heard in drafting the arts advocacy agenda for the next four years.

Some of the breakout sessions look pretty interesting, too. "The Art of Living or Living for Art: A Survival Guide for Artists" and "Fun With Critics" are but two that caught our eye. Check out the full list here.

Email jean@futureofmusic.org to find out how to apply for a scholarship. [Caveat: FMC and NPAC cannot pay travel or lodging expenses. We may, however, be able to provide info about other organizations who could help in this regard.]