The Orphan Works Act is under consideration again and as artists and supporters of artists, I hope you will respond!!  From different artists’ groups, we have heard that the new draft of Orphan Works Act of 2008 is going to be released next week.  Artists and supporters who have seen it are horrified. Quote from the Illustrators’ Partnership “If these proposals are enacted into law, all the work you have ever done or will do could be orphaned and exposed to commercial infringement from the moment you create it. “ At least 12 artists groups are working together to help get the word out so people can get informed and then TAKE ACTION!!!  Lots of links below to get informed and please at least sign the petition.  Anyone anywhere in the world can sign.

Terrain, Digital © Diane Clancy

Again, quoting from the Illustrators’ Partnership, “ forget the spin you’

 

ve heard from backers of this bill. This radical proposal, now pending before Congress, could cost you your past and future copyrights.” This includes those of you who are creating beautiful and fun works on your blogs – they can take and use them too.  All of our work is fair game.

Here’s a link to a site where you can sign a petition against it. Why not sign and pass it on? This is so important to all of us!!! We MUST take action!  Please sign … YOU can sign – it is international.  No to Orphan Works Petition. 

Mark Simon has a webcast interview with Brad Holland.  Their webcast interview is here. They have given permission to for this audio file to be copied, transferred and replayed … they want this stopped!!

Again, quoting from the Illustrators’ Partnership, “for additional information about Orphan Works developments, go to the IPA Orphan Works Resource Page for Artists,  They go on to say “If you received our mail as a forwarded message, and wish to be added to our mailing list, email us at:  illustratorspartnership@cnymail.com.  Place “Add Name” in the subject line, and provide your name and the email address you want used in the message area.”

Here are more details about this Here is the article with the details Mark SImon and Orphan Works Act. Quoting from the article … “This is not just about professionals…it will cover amateurs, hobbyists, your grandmother’s hand made quilts…even family photos posted on the internet will be fair game to be “orphan images” and swiped up and used by companies WITHOUT YOUR OKAY.”

These are some more details from article by Mark Simon … Quoting “ TO ALL ARTISTS AND ALL SUPPORTERS OF CREATIVE WORK: Our work is at risk of being stolen …. legally!! Here is the article with the details Mark SImon and Orphan Works Act. Quoting from the article … “This is not just about professionals…it will cover amateurs, hobbyists, your grandmother’s hand made quilts…even family photos posted on the internet will be fair game to be “orphan images” and swiped up and used by companies WITHOUT YOUR OKAY.”

If you want more synopsis from a post on my blog, it is here.  I hope you will take this seriously.  I bet we can stop this if we all work together.  You have my permission to use my wording if it is useful to you … to pass along.

Sue O’Kieffe, thank you for the link to that audio recording recourse also.  I really appreciate that you let me know!  Just to let you know, I walked all the way around the block today … definitely progress!  Thank you!!

~ Diane Clancy

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