A2IM: American Association of Independent Music

Posted in Events, News by A2IM

A2IM members were cordially invited to participate in a second China IP Webinar organized by our colleagues from the US Commerce Department.

The webinar took place May 10, 2012 at 10:00am EDT. Watch the Video and the Corresponding Translation of the Judicial Interpretation below.

Topic: Judicial Interpretation on Secondary Liability on the Internet

On April 11, 2012, China’s Supreme People’s Court issued a draft judicial interpretation (JI) entitled, Regulations Concerning the Applicability of Laws in the Adjudication of Civil Disputes Related to Infringement of Rights of Transmission over Information Network, for comments.  The draft JI states that when ISPs abet and assist network users to infringe the rights of others over an information network, they shall be held joint and severally liable.  When they “know or should have known” that their network’s users are infringing,  the ISPs have committed contributory infringement.  Please join us as Sharon Qiao, partner at Lusheng Law Firm in Beijing, discusses the JI and what it may mean for the music industry.

To read the draft JI

Posted in Events, Members Only, News by A2IM

As we reported to you previously, A2IM partnered with New York State and was a recipient of Federal Small Business Association STEP (State Trade and Export Program) Grant funding for our New York members. This marks the first federal grant received by A2IM, bringing an estimated $200,000 plus in funding for A2IM New York based members in travel subsidies and overseas field for our mission to Asia.  The mission is aimed at increasing exports by A2IM’s small and medium-sized New York State based music businesses and the trip itinerary dates are listed below. To qualify a business must have a domicile in New York State (it does not need to be your headquarters) and have books and records to book trip revenues in New York State. Applications are due by Wednesday May 2nd and return on investment will be a key determinant considered by NY State in selecting the mission participating companies. The trip dates and agenda are below. The trip will cost between $9,000 and $10,000 per participant but A2IM  members will need to contribute only $2,000 plus Visa costs for mainland China to attend, U.S. commerce and NY State will pick-up the balance. Non-A2IM members can apply as well but their cost will be 50% of the trip cost ($4,500-$5,500 per participant). If you wish to apply  for the mission please contact Rich Bengloff at Rich@a2im.org , 212-999-6113 Ext 1.

Asia Mission itinerary:
9/5: Wednesday Early AM- flight from NYC to Seoul
9/6: Thursday- Arrival Seoul 3PM, possible short afternoon orientation
9/7: Friday, South Korea briefing presentations & matchmaking meetings, reception at night
9/8: Saturday free day Seoul
9/9: Sunday early Flight to Shanghai, arrive 10AM (2 hour flight) free day in Shanghai
9/10: Monday-China briefing presentations & matchmaking meetings, reception at night, will be working with our friends at CAVA (the only officially recognized national audio-video industrial society approved by the General Administration of Press and Publication and Ministry of Civil Affairs in the PRC) on getting Beijing people to attend too as well planning a visit to their new facility!
9/11 Tuesday- Flight to Hong Kong, time of flight is TBA, as we may be visiting the new Shanghai music facility on this date.
9/12: Wednesday- Hong Kong briefing presentations & matchmaking meetings, reception at night (we will have buyers who also represent Singapore, Malaysia, etc., working on more)
9/13 Thursday- Flight back to U.S., arrive the same day.

Our local U.S. commerce offices are supporting our mission but we are open to, and have received a number of, trade partner suggestions from our members. Potential partners include:

*Recorded music sales – primarily digital licenses but also shipments of physical CD’s too

*Recorded music via Telco subscription services and other subscription services

*Live/Touring

*Merchandising including clothing and other items (for touring and at retail)

*Licensing of music for branding, TV, radio, games, advertisements, etc.

Please send any trade partner suggestions that you may have to Rich@a2im.org

Finally, rest assured, we are applying for other funding that will cover all A2IM members and other states and hopefully will report back to you on those in the coming months

Posted in Events, Special Offers by A2IM

NARM will again be holding their annual convention in Los Angeles this year at the Los Angeles Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel, 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067. In addition to participating in NARM, A2IM will also be holding two member only events during the convention.  We encourage all A2IM members in L.A. to come as well as encourage A2IM members from outside of L.A. who have business in L.A. to try to come to L.A. during that period.

A2IM Events that require no NARM Registration:

• Monday May 7^th- A2IM L.A. Chapter/NARM Attendee Reception from 6:30-9:30 at Pink Taco at 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, LA, CA (right in the shopping center next to the above NARM hotel), your staff are welcome, please RSVP now! Big thanks to our sponsor, Spotify!!!
• Tuesday May 8^th- A2IM L.A. Label Chapter/NARM Attendees Meeting from 11AM-1PM- A2IM member meeting (limited to 1-2 representatives per label) – update on A2IM initiatives and feedback from members Los Angeles Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel at 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Brentwood Room please RSVP now.

NARM 2011 again has a very full agenda focused on the new music business with something for everyone. A2IM participation includes:

• Monday May 7^th from 3 to 5 and Tuesday May 8^th from 1:30-3:30 we will have the annual one-on-one meetings for labels to meet with retailers and technology companies, sign-ups will start shortly.
• Wednesday May 9th, from 8:30-10:45 the NARM breakfast will include the presentation of the Independent Spirit Award to A2IM founding member and Epitaph founder Brett Gurewitz and Topspin Media’s Ian Rogers will bring his ‘This Week in Music’ web series live to the Music Biz 2012 stage. If you wish to take an ad honoring Brett discounts are available.
• Wednesday, May 9^th from 2:00-3:30 A2IM will host label meet-up panels on the independent label business and the current government regulation controversy over control over the Internet. Member panelists will Beggars Group, Dangerbird Records, eMusic, Hopeless Records, Kill Rock Stars, Nettwerk Records, Side One Dummy and Topspin. More on the panel agenda.

Registration information is HERE, and please call Jim or Rich for more information and we hope to see you soon.

Posted in Events, Special Offers by A2IM

Music Matters is offering A2IM members a discounted registration rate with a savings of 20% off the regular delegate price. A2IM members’ rate is $1399 for both events (Music Matters and Digital Matters) or $949 for each individual event (Digital or Music Matters).

Registration link:

About Music Matters:

Supported by the Singapore government and entering into its 7th year, Music Matters will once again bring together music A-listers from across the globe. With over 1,200 participants and 50+ bands and a previous speaker list that includes household names such as Jason Mraz, Simple Plan, Imogen Heap and Jamie Cullum, among many others, Music Matters has established itself as Asia’s only annual conference and festival dedicated to the business of music. Created by, with and for the music industry, the event brings together major players from the entertainment eco-system to discuss, debate, do business and watch some of the hottest up and coming acts from Asia and around the world. Music Matters is also co-located with Digital Matters in association with CASBAA and Gaming Matters produced with GameSpot, synchronising the entire entertainment eco-system in one place.

Created, managed and promoted by Branded, the Music Matters programme is customised with the assistance of an Advisory Board comprising senior representatives from across the entertainment value chain including major artists, producers, independents, promoters, digital retail, lawyers, financiers, mobile and media.

The ongoing success of Music Matters clearly demonstrates the attention the Asia Pacific Region is deservedly receiving from the rest of the world.

Music & Digital Matters returns to The Ritz- Carlton, Millenia Singapore from the 22 – 26 May 2012. Visit  <http://www.entertainmentmatters.asia/> for updates and new information for 2012.