Big Media Severely Cripples the Effectiveness of Copyright Law
with Proposed Orphan Works 2008 Legislation Important Action Alert, July 14!
click here! Pro Imaging has partnered with the Artists Foundation, IPA, Volunteer Lawyers of America, PPA, and many other professional and community organizations in a call to action on the Orphan Works bills about to be passed in the U.S. Congress. We call specifically for the defeat of the Senate bill and a slow down of the House process to allow for important amendments to the current language to be considered. A significant segment of those artists who are entitled to the full privileges of copyright protection were not consulted for this bill. Therefore, we are asking to be heard. Where to go for Latest News and for Actions you can take!The action link with the latest, most up-to-date information and notes of any actions you can take to help turn the tide: OWOH (Orphan Works Opposition Headquarters) Important Committee Meeting this Wednesday, May 21!Judiciary Committee Members' Meeting - We are told this committee will be meeting with about 15 people selected by IP subcommittee Chairman Berman who represent the interests at stake. As far as we know, there is only one person Chairman Berman selected who strongly opposes this legislation (but a very effective person). The rest are the likes of big media, including the Motion Picture Association, the recording industry, copyright abolitionists such as Public Knowledge, and, of course, Google, the 800 lb. gorilla in the room. The invited guests will be called on only when and if Chairman Berman needs their input, as far as we know. You can see it is very important to act NOW.
Both proposed bills lack important safeguards for the legitimate protection of copyright to artists in all disciplines, as well as for those works whose creators are yet unidentified, such as Native American art, a whole variety of local folklore, and many other artifacts of our heritage. The current language would open these works up for sale unless their creators submitted to a detailed registration and documentation process, the cost to be borne by the artists. Even then, tracking infringements, or searching for notice of a commercial "intent-to-use", would be the artists' burden.
What you can do NOW! Immediately we ask you to CALL AND EMAIL your Senators and Representative. The Senate bill is now up for a vote and the only available alternative for action is to request its defeat. The House bill is nearing a vote but its process can be slowed down to allow further discussion and modification IF YOU TAKE ACTION. Your right to effective copyright protection is in great jeopardy, so please make the effort. Quick Action Links Email Your Senators and Reps
Call Your Senators and Reps
Resource page for non-US residents
More detailed Information AF.org - A short, concise summary of the Orphan Works issue with action summary.
Legislative Action Center - THE site for action and up-to-date information
The Orphan Works Act of 2008
Bill # H.R.5889 (PDF)
The Shawn Bentley Orphan Works Act of 2008
Bill # S.2913 (PDF) Detailed information about this organizational action can be found here. Call your Congress peopleWhen you call your Senators , you should ask that the Senate bill be rejected altogether.
Your call to your Representative is an appeal to slow the progress of Bill # HR 5889 down to allow further discussion by more parties than were consulted in the original drafting. This is quite a reasonable request. Ask your representative to listen to more voices and allow for modification of the draft language to better protect artists whose livihoods depend on the benefits of effective copyright protection.
Don't be afraid to call your Senators and Representative. The people who staff their phones are trained to talk with constituents. Calls are very effective. You may contact their local offices if you don't want to call Washington. All those numbers can be searched here . Ask that the House bill be slowed down to allow input from the broader creative audience who will be directly affected by this legislation. We are on the side of libraries and universities and their research interests, but want to close the commercial exploitation loopholes that currently exist.
Email Congress Ready made forms for your discipline here . Please Act Now |
