24/7 Media, Adtegrity, AOL, Condé Nast, Google, Microsoft, SpotXchange, and Yahoo!, with the support of the Interactive Advertising Bureau, have committed to a set of best practices to address online infringement by reducing the flow of ad revenue to operators of sites engaged in significant piracy and counterfeiting, according to a statement from the White House.
Under the guidelines, ad networks will maintain and post policies discouraging or preventing sites that sell counterfeit goods, engage in copyright piracy or otherwise violate laws. They will also accept and process notices from rights holders about sites in question, provide guidance for the content of a “proper” notice, and identify the “designated agent” to receive a notice.
“With more than 30 trillion individual pages on the web, online piracy and counterfeit remains a challenge,” said Susan Molinari, Vice President, Public Policy and Government Relations at Google. “Google takes that challenge seriously. Using cutting-edge technology like YouTube’s Content ID and innovative copyright removal tools for Web Search, we develop and deploy antipiracy solutions with the support of hundreds of Google employees. In addition to developing legitimate, innovative, and convenient content offerings (such as Google Play and YouTube, through which our partners together generate hundreds of millions of dollars), we continue to develop solutions to help fight piracy and counterfeit online.”
“It is critical that such efforts be undertaken in a manner that is consistent with all applicable laws and with the Administration’s broader Internet policy principles emphasizing privacy, free speech, fair process, and competition,” it was said in a statement from the White House. “We encourage the companies participating to continue to work with all interested stakeholders, including creators, rightholders, and public interest groups, to ensure that their practices are transparent and fully consistent with the democratic values that have helped the Internet to flourish. We also encourage other participants in the online advertising space to consider adopting voluntary initiatives that protect ad networks, publishers, advertisers, creators, rightholders, and above all, consumers.”
“These best practices are another step in our ongoing collaborative efforts to serve consumers and prevent illegal activity,” says RIAA Chairman and CEO Cary Sherman. “They show a growing recognition that all intermediaries – from advertisers and payment processors to ISPs, search engines, mobile ad networks, registrars and others – have a meaningful role to play in building a better ecosystem for legitimate digital commerce.  The real test will come as these practices are implemented, and whether they have a demonstrable impact.  We will be monitoring closely.  The good news is that today there are independent businesses – such as WhiteBullet and Veri-Site – that provide intellectual property risk assessments of websites, and can help responsible companies independently assess whether they want to do business with rogue sites.  We are committed to working with the ad networks to achieve effective results.”

Ashley Monroe, Chelsea Crowell, Delbert McClinton, Kim Richey, Justin Townes Earl, Shooter Jennings, Steep Canyon Rangers and Lisa Marie Presley are among the latest artists added to the upcoming Americana Music Festival and Conference. The 14th annual event will take over Nashville for four days, beginning Sept. 18 with the 12th annual Americana Music Honors and Awards ceremony at the Ryman Auditorium.
The list of artist additions to the Festival & Conference lineup is below. For more information, visit americanamusic.org.
Alanna Royale
Amanda Shires
American Aquarium
Amy Speace
Andrew Combs
Andrew Leahey & the Homestead
Ashley Monroe
Austin Lucas
Band of Heathens
Bear’s Den
Ben Miller Band
Bhi Bhiman
Bobby Rush
Brian Wright
Chelsea Crowell
Claire Lynch
Daniel Romano
Dash Rip Rock
David Bromberg
Delbert McClinton
Della Mae
Donna the Buffalo
DUGAS
Elephant Revival
Farewell Drifters
Hillbilly Killers
Houndmouth
Howe Gelb
Howlin’ Brothers
JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound
Joe Fletcher & the Wrong Reasons
Joe Nolan
Jonny Fritz
Josh Rouse
Joy Kills Sorrow
Judah & the Lion
Justin Townes Earle
Kim Richey
Laura Cantrell
Lera Lynn
Levi Lowrey
Lisa Marie Presley
Mandolin Orange
Matt Mays
Max Gomez
McCrary Sisters
Melody Pool
Mustered Courage
My Darling Clementine
Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers
Noah Gunderson
Nora Jane Struthers
North Mississippi Allstars
NQ Arbuckle
Over The Rhine
Parker Millsap
Patrick Sweany
Paul Kelly
Peter Bruntnell
Phil Madeira
Randall Bramlett
Rayland Baxter
Rose Cousins
Samantha Crain
Shannon McNally
Shel
Shooter Jennings
St. Paul & the Broken Bones
Steep Canyon Rangers
Stewart Mann & the Statesboro Revue
Susan Cowsill
The Bushwackers
The Greencards
The Lost Brothers
The Westbound Rangers
Tim Easton
Tommy Malone
Treetop Flyers
Two Man Gentleman Band
Uncle Lucius
Water Liars
Wheeler Brothers
Willie Sugarcaps
Willy Mason