Conventional Wisdom
ASCAP honors creators' rights champions during the Democratic
and
Republican Convenvions
During the recent Democratic and Republican National Conventions, ASCAP hosted several events in honor of a number of Senators and Representatives who have been key supporters of the rights of music creators and copyright holders.
In Boston for the Democratic Convention, ASCAP honored House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD).
Concurrent with the Republican Convention in New York City, ASCAP held receptions to honor Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Congressman Ron Lewis (R-KY) at ASCAP's headquarters. The New York events featured special performances by ASCAP Board members, the late Cy Coleman (in one of his last performances) and Paul Williams and songwriter members Phoebe Snow and Charles Strouse. Coleman and Snow performed at the Hatch event and Strouse and Williams performed at the Lewis event. Senator Hatch is an ASCAP songwriter himself and, as a surprise for the Senator, Snow and Coleman performed two original songs for which Hatch wrote the lyrics: 'Are You Lonely Here with Me' and 'Put Your Arms Around the World.'
ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman with House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
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Former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) with Bergman
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Marilyn and Alan Bergman with Congressman John Conyers (D-MI)
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ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento with Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
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ASCAP Board member the late Cy Coleman, Senator Hatch
and Phoebe Snow
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Cy Coleman at the piano
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John LoFrumento, ASCAP Board member Irwin Z. Robinson, Congressman Ron Lewis (R-KY), ASCAP Board member Paul Williams and Charles Strouse
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Paul Williams performing at the Ron Lewis event
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Charles Strouse at the piano
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Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) in Boston
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ASCAP member Emmylou Harris (on left) with a young Democrat in Boston
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Senators Hatch and Leahy Introduce New Copyright Bill
In June, Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced a new copyright bill, The Induce Act, officially known as the Inducing Infringement of Copyrights Act of 2004 (SB2560). The Induce Act would hold technology companies liable for making products that encourage customers to infringe copyright.
Currently the bill has been referred to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, which is chaired by Senator Hatch. If enacted, it will grant creators protection against those P2P companies who now enable copyrighted works to be illegally downloaded in enormous quantities. At press time, other co-sponsors of the bill included: Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Senator Bill Frist (R-TN), Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD). If you do not see your Senators listed please contact them and urge them to co-sponsor this legislation. |
ASCAP's Karen Sherry, Congresswoman
Nita Lowey (D-NY) and ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento
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