A Major Victory

Since its founding in 1914, ASCAP has always assumed a leadership role in support of creators and copyright protection. Each and every time our right tomake a living fromour work has been threatened, ASCAP has been prepared to vigorously defend that right.

So far in 2008, I am pleased to report that ASCAP has made great – I would say groundbreaking – advances in protecting your rights. At our third “I Create Music” EXPO, held in April in Los Angeles, I announced the creation of two documents that go a long way toward establishing, clarifying and strengthening our position.

The first, entitled “Music Copyright in the Digital Age: A Position Paper,” defines, in layman’s terms, what is ASCAP, who are its members, what is copyright and what it does, why copyright ismore relevant today than at any other time in history. In clear, concise language, it states our position on a complex issue. Yet, we intend it to be read by a broad audience, fromsongwriters trying to understand their digital rights to journalists who need basic information about the role of these rights, to legislators whomust develop laws for a shifting digital landscape.

The other important document we have created is a Bill of Rights for Songwriters and Composers, which will serve as a forceful public statement and call public and Congressional attention to our rights, which are now under attack. The Bill has galvanized the music creator community. So far, it not only has surpassed 6,000 signatures online, but many prominent members have physically signed a special version of the Bill, including Lionel Richie, Fergie, Justin Timberlake, Quincy Jones, Desmond Child, Jackson Browne, Alan Bergman, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Chamillionaire, Keri Hilson, Johntá Austin, John Rzeznik, John Corigliano. The list goes on. I urge all of you to be a part of this grassroots campaign and add your signature online at ascap.com.

Shortly after we launched the Bill of Rights, on April 30th the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New Yorkmade an historic ruling that, for the first time, provides a clear framework for how the online use of your musical works should be appropriately valued. ASCAP led a three-year battle that could reach $100 million in payments from AOL, RealNetworks and Yahoo! for online performances of works from 2002 through 2009. The Court’s ruling is a major victory for ASCAP’s more than 324,000 members, and going forward this decision will greatly protect the ability of songwriters and composers to be compensated fairly as the use of musical works online continues to grow.

Speaking of growth, ASCAP’s “I Create Music” EXPO continues to expand and evolve in wonderful and significant ways. Our third annual event attractedmore songwriters and composers than ever before. Members from a wide range of genres came together to develop their craft, discover the latest technology and celebrate their community.

I’d like to thank all of this year’s panelists, sponsors and attendees who made this year’s EXPO another major success. I hope to see you all there again next year.

My best,