Press Release

NMPA Annual Meeting Set for June 6, 2007 in New York

Congressman Howard Berman to Receive NMPA President’s Award
Dynamic Panel to Debate Copyright Protection in the Digital Age

Washington, DC – National Music Publishers’ Association President and CEO David M. Israelite announced today that the trade organization’s annual meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 6, 2007, at Le Parker Meridien in New York City.  Congressman Howard Berman from California, a long-time champion of music publishers and songwriters, will be honored with the 2007 NMPA President’s Award.

The annual meeting comes at a time when Congress is considering several issues affecting music copyright holders. There will be a panel discussion addressing efforts to ensure copyright protection for music publishers and songwriters in the era of satellite radio and digital media. Israelite will also present the NMPA Songwriter Icon Award to a notable songwriter whose name has not yet been revealed.

“This is an exciting time for NMPA as we push for ways to make sure that our music publishers and their songwriting partners get the fair compensation they deserve,” Israelite said. “This year’s meeting is a chance for every music publisher to become informed about issues that could affect their bottom line.”

This year’s President’s Award recipient, Congressman Berman, is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property of the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee. As Chairman, Congressman Berman has initiated hearings addressing copyright protection and music licensing in the digital age.

As part of this year’s meeting, Israelite will host a panel discussion on the future of Section 115 of the Copyright Act. Panel attendees include Marybeth Peters, Register of Copyrights, Cary Sherman, President of the Recording Industry Association of America, Jon Potter, Executive Director of the Digital Media Association, and Gary Churgin, President and CEO of The Harry Fox Agency. The annual meeting will begin at 3 p.m.

Le Parker Meridien is located at 118 West 57th Street.  To register, please contact Jamie Rozecki at jrozecki@nmpa.org. Media interested in attending the meeting should contact Anna Persky at anna@corallocomstock.com or (703) 838-9762.