Call for Papers: Rethink Music Conference
Note: Our submission deadline has been extended to February 7, 2011.
The Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, in
collaboration with Harvard Law School’s Journal of Sports and
Entertainment Law (“JSEL”), is pleased to announce a CALL FOR PAPERS,
seeking policy proposals that advance the interests of music creators,
consumers, and entrepreneurs through changes in existing law. The Call
for Papers coincides with Berklee College of Music’s upcoming
conference, "Rethink Music: Creativity, Commerce and Policy in the
21st Century," scheduled to be held in Boston and Cambridge, MA in
April 2011.
Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution empowers
Congress “to promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by
securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right
to their respective Writings and Discoveries.” In response, Congress
created copyright, patent, and trademark law and thus established a
framework to govern the protection and exploitation of creative works.
The Internet has changed the game for the creation and distribution of
such works -- particularly musical works. New technologies have opened
new channels for distribution and new revenue streams. Artists have a
wide array of tools at their disposal when creating music and
communicating with fans. Consumers have a diverse and expanding
array of ways to connect with a diverse and expanding array of musical
works. But the Internet and digital technologies present undeniable
challenges – piracy is rampant, traditional business models have been
upended, and some find available digital music offerings to be overly
restrictive, non-portable, or incomplete. Against this backdrop,
efforts to innovate in the distribution and delivery of music to
consumers often bump up against the limitations of existing copyright
and other laws.
The "Rethink Music" symposium will focus on economic and policy
concerns that dictate the viability of creative industries. The event
is designed to provide a forum for high-level deliberation by experts,
with input from creators and stakeholders from across the spectrum,
about the future of creative works, their distribution, and the laws
that regulate them. The event will aim to differentiate itself from
the myriad of other music and intellectual property conferences by:
(a) focusing on law, economics, and emerging business models together;
(b) extensively involving creators; (c) soliciting input from both
within and outside of traditional music companies and organizations;
and (d) inviting submission of policy proposals and business models.
SUMMARY OF CALL FOR PAPERS
In connection with the "Rethink Music" event, the Berkman Center and
JSEL seek papers that propose changes to intellectual property or other
laws that relate to the creation, production, distribution,
performance, or other use of musical works.
Papers will be selected from among those submitted by a committee
designated by the staff of JSEL and/or by staff and/or Faculty
Directors of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society and/or their
designees (including representatives from other academic institutions
and/or others with expertise in music or intellectual property business
and/or policy).
Up to four (4) authors whose papers are selected will be invited to
present their work at the "Rethink Music" symposium. Berklee College
of Music will provide economy airfare and hotel accommodations for any
authors invited to present at the symposium. Up to two (2) papers will
be considered for publication in JSEL. The number of authors selected
to present at the symposium and the number of authors to whom prizes
are awarded will depend upon the quantity and quality of eligible
papers submitted. The Berkman Center and JSEL reserve the right, in
their sole discretion, to decide that no papers will be presented at
the Rethink Music symposium and/or published in JSEL.
The Berkman Center may contact authors of papers not selected for
publication or presentation at the symposium regarding publication via
another medium – e.g., online, via the Berkman Center website.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Each policy proposal submission will be evaluated based on, inter alia, the extent to which it meets the following criteria:
- Each submission should explain the state of existing United States law in the area that is the subject of the proposal.
- Each submission should identify problems and/or concerns with existing law in that area and the ways in which that law promotes or fails to promote the interests of various relevant stakeholders, including but not limited to creators and consumers of music.
- Each submission should recommend a specific and discrete change
or set of changes of existing law (e.g., a legislative amendment or
modification of an existing regulatory framework).
- Each submission should explain how the change will impact various stakeholders, including but not limited to creators and consumers of music.
- Each submission should offer commentary of the feasibility of
such proposal, including strategic concerns relating to securing
support for the proposal and the mechanics surrounding its
implementation.
Particular consideration will be given to the author's ability to make a compelling case for the policy proposal advanced, including the ways in which that proposal would positively impact various stakeholders. The feasibility of the proposal, the as well as the quality of the written product, will also be weighed heavily in evaluating the policy proposal submissions.
ELIGIBILITY
Submissions will be accepted from scholars and students (with a focus on legal scholars and law students) and/or others. Only unpublished papers will be considered, although papers may be posted on SSRN, ECGI, or similar working paper series. Authors must be available to participate in the "Rethink Music" symposium in April 2011.
DEADLINE
Submissions must be received by January 24, 2011 (UPDATE: Extended until February 7, 2011). Authors will be notified of the results of the competition in or around late-February or early-March 2011. The "Rethink Music" symposium will take place in Boston and Cambridge in April 2011.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Submissions should adhere to the guidelines set forth for “Comments and Notes” on the submissions page at the JSEL website: http://harvardjsel.com/submissions/. Each submission and any accompanying materials should be sent to JSEL as set forth in the JSEL submission guidelines, with a clear indication that the submission responds to the Rethink Music Call for Papers. A copy of each submission and any accompanying materials should be sent to the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at rethink@cyber.harvard.edu.