Artistic Science

eskiworks:

eskiworks:

Orphan Works is BACK!  This time under the guise a new proposed US copyright law change, that ALL we artists need to be aware of!  I’m going to write out some quick points, and then point you guys to places where you can get more info.

Current US copyright law protects your work as soon as you make it.  The moment it’s created, it’s yours.  This includes photography too guys!  The proposed changes to the copyright law would strip artists of that inherent right, and force you to pay for and register for every single work you make, and every single work you have made in the past.  And not even with the copyright office, but with PRIVATE COPYRIGHT REGISTRIES. 

Proponents of the new law argue that creators are too hard to find (boohoo, it’s too “hard” to do the right thing), and that the things we create are too important culturally to allow us to have control over the things we make anyway (yeah, because my ability to make a living from MY work isn’t important, right?).  What they really want is the legal ability to use art without having to pay for it.  This is already being done all over the place, but right now we artists at least have the ability to fight back under the law.  This will all get taken away if we don’t speak up. What can we do?

WE ALL HAVE TILL JULY 23rd TO SUBMIT LETTERS TO THE US COPYRIGHT OFFICE AND VOICE OUR DISSENT.  The Illustrators Partnership has already put together all the info you will need, so please visit this link for more info.  You will see sample letters, the correct place to submit, and more information on the proposed law change.

Click here for more info, and to help!

I also urge you to take some time to listen to the following youtube interview for a more in depth look at the issue. Yes, it’s long, but I listened to this while I was working on a commission and didn’t miss a beat.

Everything You Know About Copyright is About to Change

Please, take the time to educate yourself about this issue and write a letter to the US Copyright Office.  Without our voices to challenge this, it WILL get pushed through! This law is a danger to all artists!

To be clear, this is NOT a petition!  The US Copyright Office is asking people to write them before July 23rd, answering five questions (which can be found in the first link above).  This does take some time, but the link also includes some sample letters for you to reference if you wish. The US Copyright Office actually wants your genuine and personalized feedback.

Please take some time to write a personalized letter and submit it online (also available in the first link here), so that your voice is truly heard.  They are listening, and this will make an impact if you send your concerns and answer the posed questions.

(via kato-ren)