Mailbox Money: Performing Rights Organizations and the New Media

September 30th, 2002

Summary

This panel was geared towards artists interested in posting songs on mp3.com, garageband.com, and other internet sites as well as on internet radio. It provided information about how to make money from publishing, copyrights, and a new organization that specializes in internet royalty collection for musicians.

Both independent artists new to this topic and veterans came to learn what they needed to know and made sure they were collecting all the money they could. It discussed how writer/publisher Performing Rights Organizations (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) work for songwriters, and also Sound Exchange - a new organization that collects a whole new category of internet-related royalties for songwriters.

A panel of local artists and national speakers discussed:
- collecting royalty payments for publishing and sound recording copyrights
- making sure all of your rights are protected, even if you are an independent artist
- learning how other local artists get the biggest bang for the buck out of their music
- particular emphasis on a new category of royalty rights for webcasting and other digital transmissions

Panelists

John Simson, Exec Director for Sound Exchange
Will Hoffman, Austin Artist Guitarist/Songwriter for Pushmonkey
Shawn Le Mone, Senior Director of Research & Technology for ASCAP
Mark Addison, Austin Artist/Producer/Musician/Songwriter
Susan Gibson - Austin Artist/Award-winning Singer/Songwriter
Tim Fink - Associate Vice President of Writer-Publisher Relations

Guest Moderator: Chris Castle, Senior Counsel for Akin Gump