September 10, 2009

While I haven’t been “back to school” in years I still enjoy the phrase in a non-academic setting.  In the working world employees head “back” every Monday.  Here in D.C., members of Congress and their staffers who’ve left for August recess also head “back” in September.  Even my dry cleaner, who’s happily displayed a “Summer Hours” sign in her window for months, must return to longer working hours in the fall.  And although heading “back” means a little more work (and a little less play) for most of us, there’s something refreshing about it that I look forward to every year – the reminder that we all have something to learn.

In the music business, the marketplace continues to teem with experimentation and innovation, and every day we all discover new insights into how music and fans interact.  One of our jobs is to help provide fans of all ages with useful tools to help navigate this constantly-changing marketplace. 

That’s one reason our approach over the past few years has been to partner with curriculum specialists to engage students in nearly every grade (elementary school all the way through college) and include educational materials for parents.  One thing we’ve learned, especially for young music fans, is that there is a real opportunity to get students interested in discussions about what intellectual property is and how to respect creators in a digital age.  

This month specifically, we’re heading back to work (and back to school) by supporting the roll out of recently-updated (and absolutely free) Music Rules! classroom curriculum.  Music Rules! is an educational program designed to encourage respect for intellectual property and responsible use of the Internet among students in grades 3-8.   It was first developed in 2006 through our partnership with the award-winning curriculum specialists at Young Minds Inspired and has been a hit among students and teachers. The program has already reached more than 55,000 U.S. elementary and middle schools, and email and postcard invitations will ask an additional 30,000 teachers to visit www.music-rules.com this week.

The program is very easy to access.  Through www.music-rules.com, teachers can download program materials and activities.  The site also includes a separate section for parents where they can download a take-home booklet which explains the rules of copyright and the risks of illegal downloading and also provides families with a mini-poster they can opt to display near their home computer to remind everyone of the rules for responsible and safe use of the Internet.

We hope teachers, parents, and students will visit the website and find the program useful.  While just a step, it’s one step in the right direction towards helping music fans of all ages think critically about these issues and learn how to enjoy music the right way online. 

Liz Kennedy

Deputy Director, Communications, RIAA