Hi everyone,
I am just wondering if anyone has read the Mark Simon article on copyright? I would like to know what everyone thinks about the whole Orphan Works Legislation issue.
The article can be found here:
http://mag.awn.com/?ltype=pageone&article_no=3605
And another article he wrote in reponse to criticisms of the first:
http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=pageone&article_no=3615#
Thanks
Ken
Apparently the initial editorial was overly alarmist and reactionary, and flat-out wrong on some points regarding the legislation.
Its nowhere near being passed in any form that can harm artists--and the intention is soley how to address orphaned works. the initial drafts of the bill have been rejected because they are unworkable.
There's been excellent solutions suggested to amend this situation: one of them being a "donor card" clause added to current copyright registration, allowing for the creator of a work to authorize, in absentia, whatcan happen to their work if they cannot be reach.
The main point of this bill, however, has been to address those creators who CANNOT, for whatever reason, be reached to secure permission for the use of their works.
The rights you and I have as creators are still intact and will remain so.
"We all grow older, we do not have to grow up"--Archie Goodwin ( 1937-1998)
It may well have been alarmist, but I think with some degree of justification.
According to the Graphic Artists Guild, a new version of the Orphan Works Legislation is due out this Spring:
http://www.gag.org/activities/advocacy_materials/Advo_GuildNews2008_OW2008_v2.pdf
Also, Mark Simon, the writer of the editorial on the issue, responded to his critics. HIs second article was more in depth, and explained the issue and his concerns a lot clearer. I recommend reading it:
http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=pageone&article_no=3615
As it stands, I am still concerned about this issue, and I am not prepared to brush it off as alarmest exaggeration just yet.
http://www.charactercube.com
http://www.kennethanderson.blogspot.com
My sketch thread
Hi there, just some updates and links to info I have found on this issue
http://www.asmp.org/news/spec2008/orphan_update.php
http://www.illustratorspartnership.org/01_topics/article.php?searchterm=00185
http://www.illustratorspartnership.org/01_topics/article.php?searchterm=00264
http://www.tomrichmond.com/blog/?p=1945
http://www.charactercube.com
http://www.kennethanderson.blogspot.com
My sketch thread
This could be a real money maker for some. So I plan on watching it closely. I've already written to my lawmakers, so they are alerted that they can't just sneak something like this through.
It may have not passed the first time, but that doesn't mean the lobbyists for it will stop with the first defeat.
Pat Hacker, Visit Scooter's World.
Too late! It has passed.
http://www.artinfo.com/news/story/27594/senate-committee-oks-orphan-works-bill/
http://www.artinfo.com/news/story/27550/orphan-works-bill-approved-by-house-subcommittee/
The individual always preoccupied with providing for their families, can be relied on by private industry to drop the ball. This will come back to haunt all of us.
Pat Hacker, Visit Scooter's World.