Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #52 - February 7th, 2003
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

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THE MUSIC BIZ ACADEMY
http://www.musicbizacademy.com

The Musician's Online Directory:
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory

The Academy (Articles and Tips)
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles

The Bookstore
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore

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Hello subscribers, and welcome to the Febrary 7th edition of the
Music Biz Academy Digest!


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT....

It seems everywhere we turn these days, we are being told the sky
is falling right on top of the music industry. Fresh in my mind
is the recent interview with Jack Valenti, President of the
Motion Picture Association of American (MPAA), stating with some
confidence that the music industry is dead. To quote, "The music
industry now is suffering nine, ten, fifteen percent losses in
revenue. When you compound that over the next three or four
years, the music industry is dead. I don't see a future for it.
After awhile, who's going to produce it?" Good point, Jack. He
makes it sound so simple, and in a way, perhaps it is. Revenue is
the bottom line, and what corporation is going to continue
producing records when it's a guaranteed financial loss?

VALENTI'S VIEWS: "THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IS DEAD"
http://www.hpronline.org/news/347207.html?mkey=628413

But, you know, I'm not sure it really is that cut and dry. The
music industry will come around, won't it? Yes, I think it will,
but we will also see a transformation in how the industry does
business. There HAS to be a change. Whether that means current
industry leaders make adjustments, or whether new companies tuned
into the realities of our connected world enter the scene, the
industry will survive. There *is* a better business model out
there, and some future millionaire is going to find it.

Still, there is going to be serious pain associated with this
transformation. Lee Black, a music industry analyst with Jupiter
Research, was right on track when he stated that "It's pretty
difficult to kill a multibillion-dollar industry." Still, as U.S.
News reported in their article "Singing the Blues,", 2003 is
going to be a bloodbath. It's going to be a pivotal year in the
music business.

SINGING THE BLUES
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/030210/biztech/10music.htm

Even now, the industry is experimenting with new approaches to
marketing music. Six large record store chains, including Tower
Records, Virgin Entertainment, and Hastings, are to soon offer
customers digital music downloads in their stores. They're
calling this joint venture "Echo" (http://www.echo.com) and
hoping the service will bring customers into the stores to burn
music.

But will customers really go for that? Who is going to bother to
go to a store to burn music? Echo has a few other obstacles to
overcome as well, namely getting music licenses from record
labels who might see Echo as a competitor to its own online
ventures, PressPlay and Rhapsody.

SIX RETAILERS JOIN TO OFFER DIGITAL MUSIC DOWNLOADS
http://tinyurl.com/5g88

NOT THE ECHO THEY WERE LOOKING FOR
http://www.business2.com/articles/web/0,1653,46833,00.html

On other fronts, you just can't talk about industry news without
covering the latest from the RIAA. The RIAA web site was hacked,
yet again, which at this point happens so frequently it isn't
really news anymore. So I'll leave that alone.

However, the RIAA did win a key battle against Verizon, which
would force it (as well as other Internet Service Providers,
potentially) to reveal the identities of subscribers using their
connection to trade music files over peer-to-peer networks.
Verizon, of course, appealed the judges decision.

VERIZON APPEALS RIAA VICTORY
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-982809.html

The RIAA is also continuing to go after universities whose
students trade music on the Internet. 175 students at Indiana
University were told to delete music and movie files from their
computers or they would have their Internet access shut off and
be reported to a judicial board.

RIAA TRAINS ANTI-PIRACY GUNS ON UNIVERSITIES
http://www.atnewyork.com/news/article.php/1577101

The RIAA also wants Internet Service Providers to pay up for
giving their customers access to free song-swapping sites.
Hillary Rosen (who just stepped down from her position as RIAA
Chairman) stated: "We will hold ISPs more accountable. Let's face
it. They know there's a lot of demand for broadband simply
because of the availability (of file-sharing)"

RIAA: ISPS 'SHOULD PAY' FOR MUSIC SWAPPING
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2128958,00.html

Finally, we're still seeing a lot of buzz about Kazaa, and I
expect that to continue for some time. The entertainment industry
at large sees Kazaa as one of it's biggest threats, as the
file-swapping service now boasts over 185 million downloads of
its software, far more than now-defunct Napster ever had. The
industry has been attempting to shut Kazaa down, and recently a
judge approved a lawsuit against Kazaa aimed to do exactly that.

Now, Sharman Networks, owner of Kazaa, is filing a countersuit
against the entertainment industry, stating that though the
owners of Kazaa have made every effort to go 'legal,' the
industry at large refuses to cooperate with them. Sharman is
asking the judge to declare the copyright holders guilty of
antitrust violations, and to bar them from enforcing any of their
copyrights. What an interesting twist!

KAZAA STRIKES BACK AT HOLLYWOOD, LABELS
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-982344.html

KAZAA LOOKS TO LEGITIMATE ARM TO SURVIVE
http://tinyurl.com/5c9c

FOR KAZAA, BAD PRESS IS GOOD PRESS
http://tinyurl.com/5g80

There you have it.

Until next time,

David Nevue
Editor, The Music Biz Academy
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
http://www.promoteyourmusic.com
http://www.mp3.com/davidnevue


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THE MUSICIAN'S ATLAS - 2003 Edition! - DISCOUNTED!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/musiciansatlas.htm
Created by The Music Resource Group, this 368-page volume
provides access to over 15,000 music businesses and key industry
contacts in more than 25 categories. Current names, phone and fax
numbers, e-mail and website addresses, detailed submission
policies and the styles of music preferred is just some of the
information you'll find on every page of The Atlas. Available in
hard copy to Music Biz Academy visitors for only $26.95!


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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THEN AND NOW: THE CHANGING BUSINESS OF MUSIC
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/changes.htm
Over the decades labels, distributors, and music retailers have
adapted to demographic changes in the youth population, advances
in recording techniques, and adjusted to the profound impact
digital technology has had on old analog business practices. This
comparison chart summarizes some of the significant changes that
have affected how records are being sold and distributed today as
opposed to 30 years ago. Article by Chris Knab.


RADIO AIRPLAY 101: WHY CLEAR CHANNEL IS IRRELEVANT FOR INDIES
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/radio/clearchannel.htm
After endless concerns in the indie community about radio
consolidation and Clear Channel, I'm here to tell you that it
should be of no concern to you. Regular rotation on large
stations (Clear Channel or otherwise) in major or medium markets
is not available now ... nor has it ever been ... (for over 30
years) to small indie releases and artists any more than
McDonalds is available to you to market your indie toys. Article
by Brian Farrish.


HOW TO BENEFIT FROM A BENEFIT
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/benefit.htm
I took part in a benefit last week. A charity event for the red
cross 911 disaster relief fund. Turned out to be a very
successful show. Lots of TV stars, comedians from Saturday Night
Live, day time soap actors, pop stars new and old. Every body
threw in their two cents for a great cause. The spirit was
wonderful. But it also got me thinking... Article by Chris
Standring.


Q&A: A QUESTION OF OWNERSHIP - FALLING OUT WITH OLD BAND MATES
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/kloveqa4.htm
"I composed and performed all the instruments' parts in the songs
we recorded. I have since had a falling out with my old band and
now I am being approached by some interested promoters and
producers that say my music has commercial merit. Is there any
legal precedent against me using my material "As Is" and
replacing the lyrics with my own?" Answer by Kenny Love.


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Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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SELL MORE CDS ONLINE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/sellmorecds.htm

PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/perfcontracts.htm

DO YOU NEED A BARCODE?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/barcode.htm


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THE GALARIS MUSICIANS DIRECTORY: 2003 Edition
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/gmd.htm
The ultimate tool for the connected musician. Booking Agents,
Clubs, Disc Manufacturers, Legal Services, Magazines, Retailers,
Photographers, Promoters, Publicists, Radio Stations, Record
Labels, Music Schools, Studios, Producers, Engineers, and much
much more!


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
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AR PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS
http://www.arpromotionalproducts.com
AR offers a large supply of promotional products upon which you
can imprint your logo, text or design. Apparel, bags, caps,
keychains, magnets, mugs and much more. Lots of goodies to
promote your band or image.


CALIFORNIA LAWYERS FOR THE ARTS
http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/index.html
Founded in 1974, CLA provides lawyer referrals, dispute
resolution services, and a resource library to artists of all
disciplines and arts organizations. Their lawyer referral service
can provide you with a brief half-hour consultation for $30 (for
non-members) in numerous areas of law, including copyright,
contract drafting, incorporation, mediation and arbitration. CLA
also holds a number of workshops focusing on the music business
available throughout southern California. If you need an
entertainment lawyer, and quick, CLA is a good place to start.


GETAMENTOR.COM
http://www.getamentor.com/
GetAMentor.com provides one-on-one on-the-job training for
careers in radio broadcasting, the recording industry, and film
and video production. Essentially, GetAMentor matches you up with
a professional in the field of your choice (they have contracts
with radio and TV stations, recording studios, record companies,
and film production companies) and you become an apprentice. The
program is designed specifically for people just starting out in
their field, so no prior experience is necessary. You can work
part-time, nights and even weekends to match up with your own
schedule. These are not paying jobs, but apprenticeships -
essentially an opportunity to get your foot in the door and learn
your trade on the job working side by side with the pros.


WHAT SONG LICENSE DO YOU NEED?
http://www.nmpa.org/hfa/licensing.html
Want to use a copyright protected song but you're confused about
who to contact and how to go about it? This easy to use licensing
FAQ from the Harry Fox Agency takes you step by step through the
process of licensing songs for use in recording, performance,
film, or media and tells you exactly what you need to do and what
it will cost you.

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MUSICDISTRIBUTION.COM
http://www.musicdistribution.com/
MusicDistribution.com aims to help you find the best places to
promote, sell, and distribute your music on the Internet.
Includes our top 10 list, music promotion tips, and
recommended resources.


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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
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The Music Biz Academy has no affiliation with the below contests
or opportunies. They simply looked interesting to us, so we
thought they'd be interesting to you. Participate at your own
risk.


THE MP3.COM 3000 SCREAMING FANS CONTEST
http://www.usmusictradeshow.com/screamingfans/index.htm
Talented bands that want to be part of U.S. Music Tradeshow
Artist Showcase Festival can enter to win super performance
prizes by entering our 3000 SCREAMING FANS ARTIST TALENT SEARCH.
Over 250 Artists will be chosen through a selective jury process,
to win a spot in our Music Showcase. From our 3000 Screaming Fans
Contest, one grand prize winning band/artist will be given the
chance at the performance of a lifetime to put on a concert live
at the U.S. Music Tradeshow! Plus, perks like First Class,
Round-Trip Airfare, Private Limos, $25,000 Cash, Media Promotion,
Personal Chefs, and tons of other perks worth an estimated
$250,000! All Submissions must be received by Feb. 15th, 2003.
$20 entry fee.


UNISONG INT'L SONGWRITING CONTEST
http://www.unisong.com/
Over $50,000 in cash and prizes for songs in 10 categories, plus
win a trip to L.A., N.Y., Nashville or London to write with the
pros. Past UNISONG Grand Prize winners have had the opportunity
to write with the likes of Burt Bacharach, Peter Buck, Jimmy
Buffet, Gary Burr, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Stewart Copeland, Rodney
Crowell, Lamont Dozier, Mick Fleetwood, Peter Frampton, Indigo
Girls, Montell Jordan, Gladys Knight, Lisa Loeb, Me'Shell
Ndegeocello, Joan Osborne, Lee Roy Parnell, Bonnie Raitt, Brenda
Russell, Andy Summers, David Was, Don Was, and many others.
Entries must by postmarked on or before April 30, 2003. $25 Entry
fee.


THE 2003 USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwriting.net/
It's back! Entries for the 2003 USA Songwriting Competition are
now being accepted. Overall Grand Prize winner will receive
$50,000 worth of cash, merchandise and services. Overall 2nd
Prize winner will receive $7,000 worth of cash and merchandise,
Overall 3rd Prize winner will receive $5,800 worth of cash and
merchandise. First 1,000 entries will each receive a FREE
subscription from Singer magazine. Entries must be postmarked by
May 30th, 2003.


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GET YOUR MUSIC HEARD!
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm
Our friends at Tonos have blown the door of opportunity open for
more than a few musicians and songwriters. Founded by legendary
music makers Carole Bayer Sager, David Foster and Kenneth
"Babyface" Edmonds (all three Grammy winners), Tonos gives many
artists the chance to get their music into the hands of the A&R
folks that matter. On a regular basis, record labels,
film/television music supervisors, producers, managers, and other
music industry entities contact Tonos when they're looking for
specific musical talents. For example, Steve Lillywhite, producer
of albums by U2, Dave Matthews and the Rolling Stones, used Tonos
to find the first artist he signed for his new record label. And
he's not alone. On a constant basis, there are new opportunites
listed. Click link above to view current listings.


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Articles From Around The Net....
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VALENTI'S VIEWS: "THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IS DEAD"
http://www.hpronline.org/news/347207.html?mkey=628413
"The music industry now is suffering nine, ten, fifteen percent
losses in revenue. When you compound that over the next three or
four years, the music industry is dead. I don't see a future for
it. After awhile, who's going to produce it?" - Jack Valenti,
President of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).


AS CD SALES TANK, THE MUSIC INDUSTRY CHANGES ITS TUNE
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/030210/biztech/10music.htm
With the annual Grammy Awards just a few weeks away, the heavy
betting has begun. But this year it's focused not on which rap
and rock stars will walk away with the most awards, but on who in
the industry will still be standing by the time those little gold
phonographs are handed out. Not surprisingly, the music industry
regards reports of its death as greatly exaggerated. "It's pretty
difficult to kill a multibillion-dollar industry," says Lee
Black, a music industry analyst with Jupiter Research. But while
Black, and most in the music business, agree that it will
eventually right itself, they also acknowledge that 2003 is going
to be a bloodbath. "We are in for a giant upheaval," says one
record company CEO. "All our business practices need to change."


NOT THE ECHO THEY WERE LOOKING FOR
http://www.business2.com/articles/web/0,1653,46833,00.html
The leading American music retailers are doing a lousy job of
selling CDs in their stores. Maybe they can do a better job
digitally. That seems to be the idea behind this week's move by
six large record chains to form a consortium to sell music
digitally. Their new company, Echo, takes its name (and its URL,
www.echo.com) from Echo Networks, a now-defunct streaming site.
Echo is not going to work. Monday's announcement did not even
hint that Echo is anywhere near securing licenses from the major
labels. Even more important, none of the industry execs were part
of the announcement. And why should they be? Echo is positioning
itself as a competitor to the major labels' own
far-from-successful digital-distribution endeavors, MusicNet and
Pressplay.


THE RACE TO KILL KAZAA
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.02/kazaa.html
The servers are in Denmark. The software is in Estonia. The
domain is registered Down Under, the corporation on a tiny island
in the South Pacific. The users - 60 million of them - are
everywhere around the world. The next Napster? Think bigger. And
pity the poor copyright cops trying to pull the plug.


FOR KAZAA, BAD PRESS IS GOOD PRESS
http://tinyurl.com/5g80
Could the recording industry’s crusade against free music
swapping sites be backfiring? The site the music bigwigs want
most to shut down, Kazaa, the Napster descendent, is getting more
popular by the week. The Recording Industry Association of
America, along with the Motion Picture Association, is suing
Kazaa's parent, Sharman Networks of Australia, for copyright
infringement. All the publicity apparently has been working in
Kazaa’s favor. The site showed its sixth-straight week of user
increases for the week ended Jan. 12, according to
Nielsen//NetRatings data.


WHY MUSIC STAYS FREE
http://www.clickz.com/design/freefee/article.php/1568751
What happens when the difference between the prices sellers want
and what buyers are willing to pay is too different? A
malfunctioning market.



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MIXDOWN: PRO CD DUPLICATION MADE EASY!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/mixdown.htm
How would you like to duplicate your own, retail-ready CDs one at
a time? Or maybe you just want 20, 50, or 100 CDs and don't want
the expense of mass CD duplication? How would you like to sell
your professionally packaged CDs from your web site for free?
Our new Mixdown service allows artists to have professionally
packaged CDs made without any upfront costs. Order your own CDs
one at a time as needed or sell them directly to your fans
through your own web page. When an order is placed we take care
of the CD duplication, packaging and shipping so you can focus on
what matters most....writing music!


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Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
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BUONGIORNO TAKES OVER VITAMINIC
http://www.newmediazero.com/news/story.asp?id=239812
Mobile services firm Buongiorno is taking over online music site
Vitaminic in an all share deal which should be wrapped up by
mid-July. The two companies have signed a binding agreement but
the deal is still dependent on a due diligence process and the
approval of their shareholders. Buongiorno, which is the much
larger company, will control up to 90% of the combined entity,
which will be known as Buongiorno Vitaminic.


WEB HELPS MUSIC STARS CLAIM LOST ROYALTIES
http://tinyurl.com/5g83
Musicians are in line for a cash windfall following the launch of
a new website that helps you claim record royalties.
Royalties Reunited lets users search an online database to see if
they are one of over 5,000 performers who have royalties owed to
them. Stars including Italian opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, the
Sex Pistols' John Lydon and actor Neil Morrissey, who sang on the
chart topping Bob the Builder track, feature in the database.
The site, launched by royalties body PPL (Phonographic
Performance Limited) and music unions, is free to use.


VERIZON APPEALS RIAA VICTORY
http://www.slyck.com/news.php?story=67
Verizon is appealing the court decision that would force it to
identify an alleged peer-to-peer pirate. Verizon's senior vice
president, John Thorne, was quoted as saying: "Verizon will use
every legal means to protect its subscribers' privacy. If this
ruling stands, consumers will be caught in a digital dragnet, not
only from record companies alleging infringement of their
copyright monopolies, but from anyone who can fill out a simple
form."


KAZAA LOOKS TO LEGITIMATE ARM TO SURVIVE
http://tinyurl.com/5c9c
Two Guy Trio's singer, Evan Gamble, doesn't mind that bootleg
copies of his band's ''Shelby Sugarcane'' are spreading on the
Internet through the Kazaa file-sharing system. A half-million
fans have downloaded legal copies of the song through Kazaa, the
Internet's leading bazaar. Illicit trading by a few million
others is a minor nuisance. ''Whether it's licensed or
unlicensed, it's a fan,'' said Gamble. ''We want people to hear
the music, so they'll buy the album, so they will come to the
show and request songs on the radio.'' Kazaa's owners at Sharman
Networks Ltd. are trying to build a business out of giving stuff
away on the Internet, so artists like Two Guy Trio can flourish.
If only the major music labels would cooperate.


CODER FINDS NEW WAY TO SWAP TUNES
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,57482,00.html
Like Daniel entering the lions' den, programmer Jim Speth is
about to release some new music-sharing software that could land
him in a world of legal pain. Unlike Daniel, Speth doesn't have
divine protection. But he does have faith that his software is
the digital equivalent of something like a private lending
library, which may or may not shield him from the entertainment
industry's legal eagles, according to experts. But unlike most
other music-sharing applications, the software isn't an open box
that lets anyone on the Internet copy files. Rather, iCommune
users decide with whom they want to share files, using the
equivalent of a buddy list.


RIAA TRAINS ANTI-PIRACY GUNS ON UNIVERSITIES
http://www.atnewyork.com/news/article.php/1577101
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has stepped
up its initiative aimed at college students in an attempt to make
some impact on illegal file-sharing and downloading. The RIAA has
been "informing universities" about the problems of illegal file
sharing and "encouraging them to take steps to do something about
it." The Indiana University (IU) digital campus newspaper on
Thursday reported that about 175 students were told by university
officials to delete music and movie files from their computers
after receiving word from the RIAA and the Motion Picture
Association of America that users of IU's network were illegally
distributing copyrighted material. Sudents were reportedly told
that if they refused to comply, they would have their Internet
access shut off by the university and would be reported to a
judicial board.


KAZAA CASE A 'FOOL'S ERRAND'
http://tinyurl.com/5g85
US-based legal counsel for owners and developers of peer-to-peer
(P2P) Kazaa software, Sharman Networks, are warning plaintiffs
representing copyright holders such as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
studios that their claims may be in vain, given the vagaries of
international copyright law. "Before a US judgement can be
enforced against any company in Australia -- the plaintiffs have
to establish whether or not the US-courts have any jurisdiction
in Australia," Dorman said. "In many respects this lawsuit
represents a fool's errand." Dorman also went on to point out
that the enforceability of any trial outcome would be further
hampered by the decentralised nature of the Kazaa P2P software.


BLANKET HACK MUFFLES RIAA SITE - AGAIN
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2129412,00.html
Hackers have once again disabled the Web site of the Recording
Industry Association of America, a group of record labels that is
leading the charge in the crackdown on online music piracy.
The attack, which began on Friday, has caused the site to be
unavailable for three days, an RIAA representative confirmed on
Monday. It follows several other malicious attacks on the site
last summer.


KAZAA STRIKES BACK AT HOLLYWOOD, LABELS
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-982344.html
Sharman Networks, owner of the popular Kazaa file-swapping
software, has launched a legal counterstrike against the major
record labels and Hollywood studios, asserting that they have
“obscenely” abused their copyright powers. In a lawsuit filed
late Monday in federal court in Los Angeles, Sharman claims that
major entertainment companies have colluded to drive potential
online rivals out of business. The conduct should preclude the
industry from being able to defend its copyrights in court, at
least until the behavior is corrected, Sharman contends.


PEER-TO-PEER FILE-SHARING WEB SITES GROW 300 PERCENT
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=46871
In the wake of Napster, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks have moved
beyond trading MP3s into swapping anything from the latest
episode of the "Sopranos" to popular video games, reports
Websense Inc. This diversity of content is not only driving the
creation of new P2P Web sites and applications, but also creating
bandwidth, legal and security issues for corporations worldwide.
In fact, the number of P2P file sharing Web pages has increased
more than 300 percent in the last 12 months, totaling more than
89,000 Web pages. In addition, there are more than 130 unique P2P
applications, such as KaZaa, Grokster and others, according to
Websense, the world's leading provider of employee Internet
management (EIM) software.


SIX RETAILERS JOIN TO OFFER DIGITAL MUSIC DOWNLOADS
http://tinyurl.com/5g88
Six retail record store chains -- hurting from competition from
CD burning, online music and large discount stores -- are teaming
to offer consumers digital music downloads in their stores and
over the Internet. The stores have formed a joint venture called
Echo that will provide technology and allow them to offer
individual tracks for downloading to portable devices and
computers. The stores are Best Buy, Tower Records, Virgin
Entertainment Group, Wherehouse Music, Hastings Entertainment
Inc. and Trans World Entertainment Corp., operator of FYE,
Strawberries and Coconuts stores.


LIQUID AUDIO ASSETS SOLD
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20950~1131970,00.html
In a move that could make it easier for record labels to widely
sell and promote songs online, the music distributor for Wal-Mart
has agreed to buy some of the assets of Liquid Audio, the
troubled digital music pioneer. The new company, which has not
been named, will be run by a Liquid Audio co-founder, Gerry
Kearby, who said the company had licenses to distribute more than
350,000 songs. The acquisition, which is expected to be announced
today, signals that recording companies, distributors and
retailers are taking the first steps toward working together to
come up with new ways to combat declining music sales.


ROSEN TO STEP DOWN AS RIAA CHAIRMAN
http://tinyurl.com/4s0t
Hilary Rosen has announced that she will step down as
chairman/CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA) at the end of 2003. "I have young children, and I want to
devote more of my time to them," she says in a statement. "This
has been an extremely difficult decision, but I know it is the
right one for my family." Rosen joined the Washington, D.C.-based
trade group 17 years ago and was named to her current post in
1998. The RIAA board will conduct a formal search for a
replacement over the next several months.


VERIZON ORDERED TO HAND OVER IDENTITY OF FILE SWAPPER
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2129110,00.html
A federal judge on Tuesday ordered Verizon Communications to
disclose the identity of an alleged peer-to-peer pirate in a
legal decision that could make it easier for the music industry
to crack down on file swapping. In what is widely viewed as a
test case, US District Judge John Bates said the wording of the
1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) requires Verizon to
give the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) the
name of a Kazaa subscriber who allegedly has shared hundreds of
music recordings. Bates said, "The court disagrees with Verizon's
strained reading of the act," and ordered Verizon to comply with
the DMCA request from the record labels.


MAJOR LABELS BRING BACK NET MUSIC GIVEAWAY
http://tinyurl.com/4qtd
Major music and technology companies announced on Monday they
will bring back a promotion they tried six months ago involving
the give-away of free music to attract customers to their nascent
Internet music businesses. In an effort to curtail the global
outbreak of online piracy, a phenomenon that is chipping into CD
sales, the major music labels have launched their own
subscription services in the United States and partnered with
third parties in America and Europe, including the UK's OD2.


MUSIC PIRACY FACING NEW WEAPONS
http://tinyurl.com/5g8b
The ailing music industry is poised to make a new push to
copy-proof its music CDs in hopes of slowing the raging epidemic
of Internet piracy. Microsoft and Macrovision each announced new
copy-protection initiatives at Midem, the record industry's
biggest international conference. The new versions of locked-down
discs are intended to strike a better balance between the labels'
desire to keep their songs off unauthorized file-swapping
services like Kazaa and consumers' expectations of flexibility
and portability. They come after two consecutive years of falling
CD sales.


RIAA: ISPS 'SHOULD PAY' FOR MUSIC SWAPPING
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2128958,00.html
A top music industry representative said on Saturday that
telecommunications companies and Internet service providers will
be asked to pay up for giving their customers access to free
song-swapping sites. The music industry is in a tailspin with
global sales of CDs expected to fall 6 percent in 2003, its
fourth consecutive annual decline. A major culprit, industry
watchers say, is online piracy. Now, the industry wants to hit
the problem at its source -- ISPs. "We will hold ISPs more
accountable," said Hillary Rosen, chair and chief executive of
the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). "Let's face
it. They know there's a lot of demand for broadband simply
because of the availability (of file-sharing)," Rosen said.


BERTELSMANN AND EMI CONSIDER DUET
http://media.guardian.co.uk/city/story/0,7497,878370,00.html
German media giant Bertelsmann is in talks to spin off its music
division BMG into EMI in a move that would create a global record
industry giant. Following weeks of speculation that EMI is about
to fall to a predator, it has emerged that the two companies, who
were thwarted in a previous attempt to link up, are attempting a
'merger of equals'.


LISTEN.COM SET TO ENTER THE LOUNGE
http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=14446
Listen.com has announced that its intention to “go beyond the
desktop” by working with some of the world’s leading consumer
electronics companies, bringing its RHAPSODY music subscription
service to the place consumers are most used to hearing music: on
their stereo. "Today's news makes RHAPSODY the first music
subscription service to give subscribers the flexibility to enjoy
high quality digital music anywhere in their house,” said Sean
Ryan, president and chief executive officer, Listen.com.
Companies working with Listen.com include Motorola, the Rockford
Corporation, and Thomson's RCA brand.


MUSIC INDUSTRY MAKES PEACE ON PIRACY
http://cooltech.iafrica.com/technews/201381.htm
The music industry and high-tech organisations - long at odds
over piracy - reached agreement on Tuesday on principles to
protect copyrighted materials without technical mandates to
prevent copying. Although Hollywood's motion picture industry was
not involved in the agreement, the organisations involved agreed
to end any lobbying efforts in Congress that would force
electronics manufacturers to install technology to stop consumers
from copying music and other materials.


A CHALLENGE TO MTV
http://tinyurl.com/5g8e
The people who run the MuchMusic USA cable channel believe they
can build a solid business by following the model essentially
abandoned by MTV about 15 years ago. The danger is: An MTV
offshoot may have beaten them to the punch. Seen now in nearly 30
million homes in the United States (out of 107 million with TV),
MuchMusic USA is trying to become MTV's first serious
competition. It claims to be about music, nothing else, and will
take its direction from its 12-to-24-year-old audience.



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Recommended Resources
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HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
Summer 2002 Edition!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/htpromotemusic.htm
Learn the marketing and promotion methods that one musician uses
to bring in over $5000 a month in income from the Internet! There
are no 'pipe dreams' sold here. The author details step-by-step
how he finally said good-bye to his day job and starting spending
more time on his music. Download Version available for only
$14.95! Includes one free PDF update!


THE MUSICIAN'S ATLAS - 2003 Edition! - DISCOUNTED!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/musiciansatlas.htm
Created by The Music Resource Group, this 368-page volume
provides access to over 15,000 music businesses and key industry
contacts in more than 25 categories. Current names, phone and fax
numbers, e-mail and website addresses, detailed submission
policies and the styles of music preferred is just some of the
information you'll find on every page of The Atlas. Available in
hard copy to Music Biz Academy visitors for only $26.95!


THE INDIE BIBLE - The Fourth Edition!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/indiecontactbible.htm
Need to create some BUZZ about your music? Looking for reviewers?
Radio station contacts? Promotion services? Then grab The Indie
Bible. This fantastic musicians 'black book' contains pages
filled with contacts with publications and radio programmers all
over the world. These are people who actively look for music to
review! Download or Hard Copy Version Available for $24.95!


MUSIC IS YOUR BUSINESS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/musiciyb.htm
This great offering from music biz consultant Christopher Knab is
now available in PDF format! Find out why so many musicians fail
and how you can get the 'edge'. Learn how to attract
distributors, radio play, and how to create a demand for your
music. Music Is Your Business includes excellent flowcharts and
graphs, demonstrating in simple terms how the industry operates.
Sample artist bio, fact sheet, and checklists for jump-starting
your career and/or running your own record label! PDF Edition
only $19.95!


THE GUERRILLA MUSIC MARKETING HANDBOOK
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/guerrillamusic.htm
This guide to independent music success features over 175 ways to
thrive and prosper with your own band or record label. Download
Version Available! The PDF version of this great book is now only
$24.95!


THE INDIE MUSICIAN'S PDF POWER PACK!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/index.htm
Get three of our best-selling books for one low price! Set
includes 'How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the
Internet', 'The Indie Bible' and 'Music is Your Business' - All
for only $49.95 emailed to your inbox!


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Services available through the Music Biz Academy!
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These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
bring you quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very
reasonable price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we
ourselves use. We have partnered with them because we know how
very hard it is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer
that offers both great service and a high quality product. We
have been VERY satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us.
You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


GET REPRESENTATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/representation.htm
The Music Biz Academy has partnered with NOMA music, a very
well-established song placement and promotion agency, to help you
get your music heard. The mission statement of NOMA Music is
threefold:

1) Placing bands, songwriters, instrumentalists, and solo artists
with established record labels.
2) Placing and licensing songs and music into television, film,
commercials, video, and animation projects.
3) Representing up and coming film and TV composers.

NOMA works with a large network of over 400 production companies.
Recent successes include client song placement in MTV's The
Osbournes, FX's The Shield, three songs in the upcoming film
Employee of the Month starring John Doe from the band X, music in
the upcoming file Paris starring Karen Black. Placements with
Naxos Audio Books, Tokyo Pop Animation Company; Xtremeride Sports
Video, an NHL Hockey video, and others. One of NOMA's World Music
acts recently inked a recording contract with Naxos Records. As
you can see, NOMA provides an aggressive program to get your
music into the right hands.


GET YOUR MUSIC ONLINE!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdstreet.htm
We've partnered with CDStreet to offer one of the best deals on
the net for musicians looking to sell their music via the web.
CDStreet simply takes 20% of your CD price. If you sell a CD for
$12.99, you keep $10.39. If you need to ecommerce enable your web
site (as in, you need a shopping cart), you can use CDStreet to
do that as well. Visitors can rate your music, post reviews, get
news and information and listen to and purchase your music. Very
highly recommended, with lots of buzz on the ‘street’. There is a
one-time $29.95 set up fee, but no recurring or hidden charges. A
fantastic deal on a high-visibility, high-class web site.


MUSIC CAREER CONSULTING
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/consulting.htm
If you'd like some help getting your music career off the ground
or preparing for that next step, contact our expert music
consultant, Christopher Knab. Chris has been called "One of the
Most Influential People in the Northwest Music Industry." by
Seattle's Rocket Magazine. He is owner of FourFront Media and
Music, a consultation service based in Seattle that helps
musicians develop marketing and career plans.


RADIO & RETAIL PROMOTION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/radiopromo.htm
If you're looking to promote your music either via radio or
through retail, we've teamed up with a radio promoter who has
quarterbacked campaigns for RadioHead (before they were stars),
Lit (Malicious Vinyl), and others. Our contact will help arrange
on-air interviews, CD reviews, and create a custom campaign
custom designed for your music.


ART DESIGN - CDs, Posters, One-Sheets, and Web Sites
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/artdesign/
In this business of music, image means everything! You know it,
we know it, the music industry knows it. Our hand-picked graphic
designers will help you make a powerful statement about your
music! Whether you need art design for your CD package, or just a
quick logo, it's all here. Check out the very cool one-sheet
designs, the perfect item to make your press kit stand out!


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And Now a Word from our Sponsors...
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INSIDE THE MUSIC BUSINESS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/insidethebusiness.htm
Learn how the music business works first-hand from those who are
already successful in it, and receive personal coaching on your
path to success in the music industry!


MUSIC123: KEYBOARDS, GUITARS, INSTRUMENTS & ACCESSORIES
http://www.rainmusic.com/music123.htm
Music123 has a huge selection and they guarantee you the lowest
price on all their instruments and equipment. Found a cheaper
price? Call their 800 number toll free and they will beat it over
the phone! Buy guitars, amps, keys, software, recording, dj, and
lighting gear, all at the click of a button. Very easy to
navigate, great selection, and 6 months, same as cash! They even
have an outlet store for B stock and blemished items!

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ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service here at rates
starting at just $30 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.


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The Music Biz Academy Digest is brought to you by The Music
Biz Academy (http://www.musicbizacademy.com) . It is a resource
designed for musicians promoting or selling music on the
internet. Each week we feature news, articles, and reviews
related to the art of online music promotion and music related
product sales.

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