A2IM: American Association of Independent Music

Posted in Advocacy, From The President by A2IM

The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) is doing its 2010 quadrennial review of media ownership which asks what questions the FCC should be asking related to competition, localism and diversity. Based upon the comments of the National Association of Broadcasters (“NAB”) which propose further media/radio market consolidation A2IM has filed a reply with the FCC. The A2IM reply notes that achieving radio access at traditional terrestrial AM/FM radio has always been an issue for A2IM’s members and their artists in terms of getting radio airplay and how further radio ownership consolidation could affect our community. The full comments filed with FCC are HERE

Posted in From The President, News, Notes & Noise by A2IM

Paste recently asked “Is Indie Dead?” with the answer being that it’s so alive that the term lacks meaning. Yet on the business side of the music business, the concept of independence still has currency—and perhaps more meaning than ever. So to unpack how independents are navigating the constantly reinvented music business, we talked to someone who should know: American Association of Independent Music President Rich Bengloff (A2IM).  Read the conversation Here

Posted in Advocacy, From The President by A2IM

A2IM was invited by the United State House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs to provide written testimony at the committee’s hearing on July 21^st on “Protecting U.S. Intellectual Property Overseas: The Joint Strategic Plan and Beyond”. A2IM used this opportunity to define the independent music label sector, economic trends and the Intellectual Property protection and commerce issues that are affecting our community. The testimony can be read here

Posted in Advocacy, From The President by A2IM

The MTP Interview: Rich Bengloff, President A2IM

The YouTube decision of a lower court in New York emphasized that the “catch me if you can” interpretations of the U.S. Copyright Act “safe harbor” for infringement has created a “digital divide” of haves and have nots when it comes to the cost of enforcing rights against unscrupulous online companies. The head of the indie label organization, A2IM, discusses these and other issues with MTP.

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Posted in Advocacy, From The President by A2IM

There have been two recent court decisions, UMG Recordings V. VEOH and Viacom V. YouTube, which have interpreted Congress’ 1990’s DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) so that the onus of filtering/preventing unauthorized content on the internet will be the responsibility of the copyright owner, not the service allowing access to the music. Simply put it allows a service like YouTube to allow any user to put up any user generated content on their service without having the rights. This then requires the music label creator community to have to monitor for infringements, send cease and desist notices to YouTube or any other service, re-monitor for infringements and then, if necessary, litigate. One of your A2IM board members noted that in the physical goods world, distributors who ‘distribute’ something they have no legal right to are generally called thieves and noted that YouTube is sort of like the pawnshop owner who sells stolen jewelry and says “How was I supposed to know it was stolen”? or to the person who rents a booth at the flea market to the sellers of stolen goods and then says “I’m not responsible.” The bottom line is our community does not have the resources to become internet police so A2IM is actively supporting the appeal of these court interpretations of DMCA decisions by filing Amicus briefs and also working with our creator allies.

This week Rich Bengloff responded on behalf of A2IM’s independent music label members to a June 29th LA Times editorial which applauded a New York district court decision dismissing a claim that YouTube turns a blind eye to copyright infringements. The Times’ editorial board wrote that “for the Internet to work, YouTube can’t be required to police its network…” A2IM opines in response: for independent creators to continue contributing great music for fans we must be fairly compensated and not be forced to spend our time playing Internet Cop. Read both the original LA Times editorial and A2IM’s responding letter to the editor that was published on July 1st.

A2IM Letter To The Editor: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-oew-0702-bengloff-20100701,0,5941892.story

Original LA Times Editorial: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-youtube-20100629,0,2290414.story

Posted in Advocacy, From The President, Press Releases by A2IM

Below is a press statement issued by Rich Bengloff and serviced by ShoreFire Media today commenting on a report issued by the IFPI highlighting that labels invest $5 billion per year on artists.

See the IFPI report here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On IFPI’s “Investing In Music” Report – Statement From A2IM President Rich Bengloff

A2IM President Rich Bengloff issued the following statement today:

A2IM applauds the IFPI’s “Investing in music” report for noting that “investing in music is the core mission of record companies and that no other party can lay claim a comparable role in the music sector”….and that “No other party comes close to the levels of investment committed by record companies to developing, nurturing and promoting talent. One of the biggest myths about the music industry in the digital age is that artists no longer need record labels. It is simply wrong. The investment, partnership and support that help build artist careers have never been more important than they are today.” (more…)