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Florida Creates Task Force

Florida Governor Charlie Crist announced that he would create a Music Recording Industry Task Force within Floridaโ€™s Office of Film and Entertainment. Crist initiated the task force with the goal of not only more efficiently managing Floridaโ€™s handling of industry-related issues but also in hopes of strengthening Floridaโ€™s economy by strengthening its music industry.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist announced that he would create a Music Recording Industry Task Force within Floridaโ€™s Office of Film and Entertainment. Crist initiated the task force with the goal of not only more efficiently managing Floridaโ€™s handling of industry-related issues but also in hopes of strengthening Floridaโ€™s economy by strengthening its music industry.

โ€œA rich variety of music from many cultures permeates Floridaโ€™s lifestyle, with many recording artists and recording studios calling the Sunshine State home,โ€ Governor Crist said, in a press release. โ€œIn the same way we have been able to attract and retain Florida businesses in other entertainment sectors, I believe we can do the same for the music industry.โ€

One of Cristโ€™s primary goals for the task force is the creation of a music festival for Florida, particularly Miami. He also hopes to make the establishment of new artists easier, preserve Floridaโ€™s musical history, and protect artists and labels from copyright infringement (with an emphasis on illegal downloading).

โ€œThe recording industry, like the film and television industry sectors, is in rapid transition as new technologies provide more vehicles for consumers to access entertainment products. I welcome working with the industry experts to learn more about how to protect and grow Floridaโ€™s music industry,โ€ Lucia Fishburne, director of the Office of Film and Entertainment, said. Florida is a leader in the music industry, and is home to nearly 50,000 industry-related jobs.