Andrew and Michael Gregory of the Gregory Brothers Inc.—the masterminds of the beloved Auto-Tune the News series—will join the Open Video Conference to discuss how creativity will be compensated.

The Bros are a Brooklyn-based musical act, spanning the genres of country, soul, folk, and rock and roll. But they’re best known for a series of YouTube videos, Auto-Tune the News, in which recorded voices of politicians, news anchors, and political pundits are digitally manipulated create timely melodic jams. Check out all 13 episodes of Autotune the News on YouTube, spanning the topics of global warming, the US healthcare debate, Cuba, Afghanistan, Wall Street bankers, and more.

The Bros are also behind the infamous “Double Rainbow” auto-tuned song.

The Gregory Brothers (Michael Gregory, Andrew Rose Gregory, Evan Gregory, and Sarah Fullen Gregory, Evan’s wife) are doing well on YouTube and iTunes, showing that it’s possible to make a living off remix. But there are some legal issues, and some practical issues, with building a brand on derivative works.

A recent Billboard article takes a look at artists like the Gregory Brothers, and the phenomenon that is the Business of Remix (OVC guests Eclectic Method and Steve Porter are also highlighted). Though the Bros are emblematic of a new type of creativity, they are in semi-uncharted waters with works like the Double Rainbow Song and Autotune the News. “The remix is an unauthorized derivative work,” says Peter Brodsky, executive VP of business and legal affairs at Sony/ATV Music Publishing, “and so the person who created the original video not only deserves compensation, he or she has the right to say yes or no to its existence.”

At OVC, we’ll explore compensation, derivative works, the ethics of remix, the difficulties of making a living as a web video producer, and much much more. Register now for the Open Video Conference, October 1-2 in New York City!

In the final part of our video interview with Susan Crawford, we discuss what role the government should play in maintaining a level playing field on the web, and the challenge of getting things done in Washington. You can watch all three parts of the interview here. (more…)

As if your OVC badge weren’t already a great deal…We’re pleased to announce the details on the OVC opening night party. Topping the bill are audiovisual remix wizards Eclectic Method, with a 90-minute set that will cycle through hundreds of pop culture fragments to get you dancing. Check out some of their stuff at Vimeo. We’ll also have some amazing jams from Karaoke Crime, Lone Wolf, Ghostdad, and interactive fun by Babycastles. And an open bar.Yes, you heard correctly—free drinks for all OVC badge holders between 10pm and midnight. Seriously, free drinks and dancing—how could it get better? The afterparty is hosted by the fine folks at 92Y Tribeca, just 10 minutes from the conference center at FIT.Your OVC badge gets you access to two full days of conference (60+ sessions!), the Shared Film Festival, the Hack Labs, and the Afterparty. If you haven’t yet registered, head over to the registration page and sign up right now!