Education Pays: BMI’s ‘Content, Copyright & Commerce’ Digs into Digital Future

Posted in News on October 18, 2010

Follow the entertainment industry’s ongoing dialogue, and one thing becomes crystal clear: Music makers and music users are aware of the growing digital sphere. On Wednesday, October 20 during Digital Hollywood Fall in Santa Monica, BMI’s inaugural “Content, Copyright & Commerce” symposium will parlay that awareness into informed empowerment.

Part educational seminar, part top-tier meeting of the minds, “Content, Copyright & Commerce” will explore and answer questions songwriters, composers and other copyright owners have about creating and getting paid in the evolving digital space, as well as ideas and queries currently shaping online business models that represent the future of the entire entertainment industry.

“I think the most exciting and perhaps the most unique aspect of ‘Content, Copyright & Commerce’ is the accessibility of the experts,” says Richard Conlon, BMI. “Our speakers aren’t just observers—they’re the game-changers themselves.”

BMI’s impressive lineup of featured speakers is anchored by an emblematic keynote, in which Bob Lefsetz will interview Evan Lowenstein. Provocative commentator meets self-made innovator, the interview epitomizes the digital sphere’s outsider-turned-insider environment. Lefsetz is the author of entertainment industry must-read “The Lefsetz Letter,” delivered daily to the inboxes of CEOs and indie road dogs alike. Lowenstein first captured the public’s ears as one half of Evan & Jaron, whose “Crazy for this Girl” became an international smash. These days, Lowenstein is driving the conversation in a new way, as the founder and CEO of StageIt, an interactive online delivery platform for live performances.

Following the keynote, four consecutive panels will discuss and debate not only the present, but also the future of key issues. Digital entrepreneurs, publishers, legal minds and more will delve into topics ranging from the growing power of streaming and the status of copyright laws all over the world, to the creation of sustainable new industries in the digital marketplace, and much more. In addition to Lefsetz and Lowenstein, speakers will include Dan Kimpel, author and journalist, Music Connection; Vickie Nauman, Vice President, North America, 7digital; Massimiliano Pellegrini, CEO Dada Entertainment, Dada Group; David Rosenberg, Legal Counsel, Live 365; Mark Piibe, EVP, Global Business Development, EMI Music; Tamara Conniff, Founder, TheComet.com; Allen Duan, VP Global Digital Media, MTV Networks; Claes Loberg, CEO, Guvera; Jeff Price, CEO, TuneCore; Christian Castle, Managing Partner, Christian L. Castle, Attorneys; Bruce Funkhouser, VP of Business Operations, Copyright Clearance Center; Ryan Lehning, Senior Counsel, SoundExchange; Maurice Russell, Senior Vice President of Licensing, Collections and Business Affairs, HFA (Harry Fox Agency); Nancy Harkness, Executive Vice President, Business Affairs & Government Relations, Bug Music; Patrick Sullivan, President & CEO, Rightsflow; Darren Briggs, Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, Landmark Digital Servicessm, LLC; Michael Drexler, Senior Director, Business Development of New Media & Strategic Development, BMI; Randy Himes, Assistant National Executive Director, Sound Recordings, AFTRA; Kurt Hanson, RAIN: Radio And Internet Newsletter; Chris Lydle, Christian Copyright Solutions (CCS); Sam Gilchrist, President, Tradescape; Robert Singerman, Head of Business Development, 88tc88.com; Burgundy Morgan, Of Counsel, One LLP.

“This symposium acknowledges the intelligence of its audience, and the panels reflect that,” Conlon says. “Both sides of the copyright equation—its creators and its users—will be well represented, and together, we’ll explore the ways in which the digital world’s evolution is creating unprecedented and mutually beneficial opportunities.”

Badges may still be purchased through www.DigitalHollywood.com. There is a discounted rate of $100 available for “Content, Copyright & Commerce,” which includes access to all of Digital Hollywood’s programming that day (Oct. 20). To take advantage of the discount, select the “$100 - BMI Members Conference” option when registering.

AGENDA
Content, Copyright & Commerce
8:30 a.m. Registration

9 a.m. – Keynote Q&A: Evan Lowenstein, CEO, StageIt, interviewed by Bob Lefsetz, The Lefsetz Letter

10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Music Downloads vs. Streaming: Who’s the Winner?
Moderator: Dan Kimpel, author and journalist, Music Connection
Vickie Nauman, Vice President, North America, 7digital
Massimiliano Pellegrini, CEO Dada Entertainment, Dada Group
David Rosenberg, Legal Counsel, Live 365
Mark Piibe, EVP, Global Business Development, EMI Music

11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Disruption and Innovation: How to Change the Model and the Market
Moderator: Tamara Conniff, Founder, TheComet.com
Allen Duan, VP Global Digital Media, MTV Networks
Claes Loberg, CEO, Guvera
Evan Lowenstein, Founder & CEO, StageIt
Jeff Price, CEO, TuneCore

2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. The Digital Globe: Copyright Landscape Around the World
Moderator: Christian Castle, Managing Partner, Christian L. Castle, Attorneys
Bruce Funkhouser, VP of Business Operations, Copyright Clearance Center
Ryan Lehning, Senior Counsel, SoundExchange
Maurice Russell, Senior Vice President of Licensing, Collections and Business Affairs, HFA (Harry Fox Agency)
Nancy Harkness, General Counsel and Executive Vice President, Business Affairs, Bug Music
Patrick Sullivan, President & CEO, Rightsflow
Darren Briggs, Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, Landmark Digital Servicessm, LLC

4 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Getting Paid, Getting It Made: Creating a Viable Music Business within the New Digital Media Ecosystem
Moderator: Michael Drexler, Senior Director, Business Development of New Media & Strategic Development, BMI
Randy Himes, Assistant National Executive Director, Sound Recordings, AFTRA
Kurt Hanson, RAIN: Radio And Internet Newsletter
Chris Lydle, Christian Copyright Solutions (CCS)
Sam Gilchrist, President, Tradescape
Robert Singerman, Head of Business Development, 88tc88.com
Burgundy Morgan, Of Counsel, One LLP

5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. BMI and Digital Hollywood present a live musical performance by singer/songwriter Ryan Calhoun, poolside at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel.

myspace.com/ryancalhounmusic
Download Ryan’s music.
Watch Ryan’s video for “Draining.”

SOURCENews TAGS Los Angeles Digital Licensing Rights Management Ryan Calhoun