ARTIST ALERT Don't Let Congress Orphan Your Work ACT NOW!

[SueZhope]

Last Friday both the Senate and House introduced variations of the same bill: The Shawn Bentley Orphan Acts of 2008 (S. 2913) and The Orphan Works Act of 2008 (H.R. 5889). If these bills pass, they will have devastating consequences for visual artists.

This is a serious problem that could cost artists our livings. This will be a free-for-all for corporations and manufacturers to just steal art and claim it orphaned.
Don't Let Congress Orphan Your Work ACT NOW!

This website will give you tools to take action to help STOP this horrendous bill from passing as it is written.

http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/home/

Please sign this online petition.
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/dAvsOW/petition.html

Thank you!!!!

[bunny planet]

1. I was just going to post this, thanks for beating me to it.

This will be horrendous if it passes. Makes you wonder what other nasty little bills that effect people's lives are going to pass under the radar while we are distracted by flag lapel pins and Rev. Wright.

[bunny planet]

2. K and R

:kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

[parasim]

3. Thanks for the heads up!

As a visual artist myself, I vehemently oppose these.

I also was very discouraged to see that John Conyers is a cosponsor, as he has been one of favorite congressmen.

[SueZhope]

4. John Conyers

Is part of this INSANE bill?
Oh my goodness how could I have missed that .
He was one of my favorites also .

I guess with all the major issues out their. Little artists who are already having a hard time earning a living are "disposable" to some of these politicians.... What are they thinking and DRINKING when they created these bills ?

For any one who missed the online interview with Brad Holland he explains it all.
http://www.sellyourtvconceptnow.com/orphan/orphan_works_information.mp3

[parasim]

6. Sadly, yes.

Along with Howard Berman, (D - California), Conyers was in on the bill.
http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/issues/bills/?bill=11320236&cs_party=all&cs_status=C&cs_state=ALL

Leahy cosponsored the senate bill as well...
http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/issues/bills/?bill=11322171&cs_party=all&cs_status=C&cs_state=ALL

grrr!

and thanks a lot of Brad Holland's interview link. One of my favorite artists of all time right there.

[leftofcool]

5. We have been keeping a close eye on this

[rumpel]

7. From APA - May 7, 2008, 2 pm House meeting

URGENT CALL TO ACTION

BREAKING NEWS, May 6, 2008 - The House is meeting tomorrow 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2008, 2141 Rayburn House Office Building markup of H.R. 5889, the "Orphan Works Act of 2008"

This means that if you oppose the House Bill as it stands, it is extremely important to make your voice heard before that meeting begins.

At this time, it is understood that the House believes that photographers and other visual artists including their trade associations are in agreement with the current bills. APA opposes both the House and Senate bills as written.

Please take a moment to be heard via a prepared letter of your choice, or by including your own reasoned thoughts in a professional courteous manner.

This link <http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/home/> will allow you to be heard.
Scroll down about half way to see "For Photographers".

It is important to be heard. It is your future.

Martin Trailer
National President

Constance Evans
National CEO


http://www.apanational.com/i4a/pages/Index.cfm?pageID=3866

[SueZhope]

8. Thanks

for sharing this!!!

[BrightKnight]

9. I would not be comfortable posting my images to forums like this if they pass it.

I post my images to lots of internet forums without using my full name. I need more protection not less.

Someone could steal my work, use it in any context that they wish and I would have NO legal recourse.

Every professional creative organization in the Country (ASMP, APA, NPPA,...)is against it. The bill stinks! What special interest are they pandering to??

[Chan790]

10. The media.

If it's orphaned then they don't have to pay you for using it.

[Norrin Radd]

11. k

What has transpired, so far:

S. 2913: Shawn Bentley Orphan Works Act of 2008
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-2913

Under Cover Of Night, During Financial Crisis, Senate Passes Orphan Works Act
http://www.nppa.org/news_and_events/news/2008/09/orphan01.html