[Art] Fwd: Copyright Info- Act Now!

[karen boyhen]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Cheryl Phelps <cheryl at cherylphelps.com>
> Date: April 27, 2008 3:59:06 PM EDT
> To: Cheryl Phelps <cheryl at cherylphelps.com>
> Subject: Copyright Info- Act Now!
>
> Time to write! Please take action now! These proposed changes to  
> the copyright law affect YOU!
>
> The changes in the copyright laws proposed under the new "Orphan  
> Works" bill have been released and it will affect your creative  
> career!
>
> Write your Reps and Senators.
> Refer to Bill H.R. 5889 when writing a House Rep.
> Refer to Bill S. 2913 when writing a Senator.
> Same Orphan Works bill, different #'s for Senate and House.
>
> Go to: http://capwiz.com/gag/dbq/officials to get the contact info
> for your state's officials.
>
> This affects all of us, painters, photographers and designers alike
> and is getting fast tracked to get through now.
>
> Please take time to write! Fax or snail mail in addition to any  
> emails you'd send too please.
> A sample letters is below at the end of this email.
>
> For more info on this matter go to:
> http://www.illustratorspartnership.org
>
> A webcast interview with Brad Holland about the Orphan Works act  
> bill can be heard at:
> http://www.sellyourtvconceptnow.com/orphan.html
>
> Thank you for joining with other creative image makers to get your  
> voice heard!
> Thanks!
>
> Best,
> Cheryl
>
> This was posted by Stella on "The Art of Licensing" Yahoo group I  
> belong to and sums up the consequences if this bill passes:
>
> "If we do not stop BOTH Orphan Works Bills NOW-
> It does not matter that you created it.
> It does not matter that you have a copyright mark on it.
> It does not matter that it is registered in the Library of Congress.
> It does not matter that you signed it.
> It does not matter that you put a big fat watermark across it.
> It does not matter that you put digital signatures on it.
> It does not matter if you get a lawyer- you will get a pittance
> determined by the offending company and no reimbursement for legal  
> fees.
> It does not matter even if you do as they demand and pay to register
> it in the new registries that they will form - there is no real
> punishment for using your work for profit.
> It does not matter that you do not want your image used on a product
> or to promote an agenda.
> They can even sell your prints and make money!"
>
> From Illustrators Partnership and posted on the Art of Licensing  
> Yahoo Group  by Stella too:
>
> Here is a sample letter you can edit and send to your local and/ 
> orstate representatives and Senators. These letters work best when  
> you make your point clear, do not curse, and make them aware that  
> you live in their district or state and can vote for or against them.
>
> Feel free to make this personal with your story on how the Orphan  
> Works legislation will harm your income. Stories are incredibly  
> powerful.
>
> Faxes work better than e-mails, as e-mails are too easy to delete.
>
> Congressman/Congresswoman/Senator (their name)
> (their contact info)
> Fax: (their fax number)
>
> Re: The Orphan Works legislation Bill # (either H.R. 5889 or S.  
> 2913 depending who you're writing)
>
> Dear (their name),
>
> My name is (your name) and I live in (your city, state). After  
> reading about the Orphan Works bill, I am shocked and outraged that  
> this could happen in our country.
>
> This Orphan Works legislation, if passed, will severely impact my  
> income and life as an artist. Not only will it give license for  
> others to legally steal and use my work for free, it will be  
> virtually impossible for me to afford the time and money to  
> register my creations in all the potential new registries.
>
> (your personal story if you wish. It should show hardship under the  
> new bill)
>
> I strongly urge you to vote AGAINST the Orphan Works bill and  
> protect my rights, my copyrights, to all that I have and will create.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> (your name)
> (your address)
> ------
>
> PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO EVERY ARTIST YOU KNOW! THANKS!!!

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