Ban the Orphan Works Bill!
Target:
Artists and anyone who cares about their livelihood
Sponsored by:
The Orphan Works Bill is designed to benefit big corporations and legalize theft. Individual artists would have to pay to register their work at private institutions. Anything not registered would be an "orphan work" and free to use without penalty or payment.
Effectively, artists would lose any right to make money from their artwork.
We can prevent this. Ban the Orphan Works Bill!
Effectively, artists would lose any right to make money from their artwork.
We can prevent this. Ban the Orphan Works Bill!
The Orphan Works Bill is designed to benefit big corporations and legalize theft. Individual artists would have to pay to register their work at private institutions. Anything not registered would be an "orphan work" and free to use without penalty or payment.
Effectively, artists would lose any right to make money from their artwork.
We can prevent this. Ban the Orphan Works Bill!
Effectively, artists would lose any right to make money from their artwork.
We can prevent this. Ban the Orphan Works Bill!
We the undersigned
Have read about and know the intentions of the Orphan Works Bill
and
Understand that it is set only to benefit corporations and not individual artists or their livelihood
and therefore
Agree that Congress should never pass this bill or let it become law in any way, shape or form
The Orphan Works Bill (read about it here) is a bill that would make artists register all their work with a private institution for a fee, protecting already existing work but not supporting in any way any future works the artist might create. This makes it easier for large corporations to use the art and for the art to be stolen and used without the artist's permission!
This is unacceptable.
Under current law, any works an artist creates are already copyrighted to that artist. Also, an artist can sue for stolen work as well as fair value of said artwork. This is supported by international law.
The Orphan Works Bill would take away any right an artist has to get paid for his or her work.
There's a reason the phrase "starving artist" exists. Why make artists pay to register their work with a private institution and make theft easier? Currently, these private institutions are untested%u2014so if your work is registered but there's a bug in the system, all your work and money is for nothing. All it takes is for someone to claim that a work is not registered (and therefore an orphan work) and use it for free with no penalty!
Why would such a bill be written, much less passed?
To benefit corporations.
This is a travesty that must be prevented. Let the artists of the world take their future in their own hands! It's time to unite, and tell Congress that the Orphan Works Bill should never be passed!
Thank you for reading this letter. It is our hope that with enough voices saying "No", Congress will listen. We need to protect ourselves--the time to act is now. Feel free to spread the word!
Ban the Orphan Works Bill!
We signed the "Ban the Orphan Works Bill!" petition!
# 801:
1:18 am PST, Dec 3,
Ryan Milis, Wisconsin
It would be salvery
It would be salvery
# 800:
9:51 am PST, Nov 24,
Rebecca Jacobson, California
Please, it's already hard enough for artists to make a living. Why make it more difficult? We should be supporting the arts and the creative efforts of Americans not supressing them by creating additional hoops for artists to jump through. Please.
Please, it's already hard enough for artists to make a living. Why make it more difficult? We should be supporting the arts and the creative efforts of Americans not supressing them by creating additional hoops for artists to jump through. Please.
# 799:
7:00 pm PST, Nov 21,
Philip Bonham, Virginia
It's funny how much we Americans pretend to appreciate art and creativity. How much harder can we make it for people to create beauty?
It's funny how much we Americans pretend to appreciate art and creativity. How much harder can we make it for people to create beauty?
# 798:
2:45 pm PST, Nov 20,
Ricardo Lopez Ortiz, New York
# 797:
1:52 pm PST, Nov 6,
Diana Kupris Mettler, New York
I am an artist that needs to be protected so that I can continue to make a living at what I do.
I am an artist that needs to be protected so that I can continue to make a living at what I do.
# 796:
12:30 pm PDT, Oct 30,
Mark Bellenoit, Wisconsin
Most Artist are already starving, making them copyright every piece of, would have a devastating effect on their livelihood. Furthermore, why are you wasting tax dollars over legalizing theft anyway?????
Most Artist are already starving, making them copyright every piece of, would have a devastating effect on their livelihood. Furthermore, why are you wasting tax dollars over legalizing theft anyway?????
# 795:
2:34 pm PDT, Oct 29,
Jeanie Hendryx, Maryland
# 794:
2:22 pm PDT, Oct 29,
Rhona LK Schonwald, Maryland
# 793:
7:04 am PDT, Oct 29,
Michael Carabetta, Wisconsin
Can we afford this...NO! We work on limited budgets as it is and can hardly afford to register every work of art that we create. If our art is wanted, then it should be paid for and not stolen!
Can we afford this...NO! We work on limited budgets as it is and can hardly afford to register every work of art that we create. If our art is wanted, then it should be paid for and not stolen!
# 792:
10:27 pm PDT, Oct 28,
Robert Feldhofer, Maryland
# 791:
8:45 pm PDT, Oct 28,
Allison Pasarew, Maryland
# 790:
1:36 pm PDT, Oct 28,
Tonya Kopp, Idaho
# 789:
5:34 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Jason Breaux, Louisiana
I am an artist and am very concerned with the Orphan Works act of 2008. This bill seems to only help those who would exploit the work of artists while possibly crippling artistic creation with the costs of having to register copyrights. The bill should be stopped.
I am an artist and am very concerned with the Orphan Works act of 2008. This bill seems to only help those who would exploit the work of artists while possibly crippling artistic creation with the costs of having to register copyrights. The bill should be stopped.
# 788:
6:19 am PDT, Oct 24,
Name not displayed, New York
The corporate machine seeks to own and control – the least that should happen is they can pay -Our talent is God Given- We as Artist work hard, live meagerly and should be compensated and protected as a country treasure.
The corporate machine seeks to own and control – the least that should happen is they can pay -Our talent is God Given- We as Artist work hard, live meagerly and should be compensated and protected as a country treasure.
# 787:
1:39 pm PDT, Oct 23,
Lynn Cupan, Arizona
# 786:
8:58 pm PDT, Oct 21,
Debbie Morgen, Washington
# 785:
6:51 pm PDT, Oct 21,
Heather Woods, California
Being an broke artist myself...I would NOT be better off if this happened. Art theft is bad enough as it is, but this..this would be disastrous if it passed. I signed this petition becuase something like this needs to be banned.
Being an broke artist myself...I would NOT be better off if this happened. Art theft is bad enough as it is, but this..this would be disastrous if it passed. I signed this petition becuase something like this needs to be banned.
# 784:
1:30 pm PDT, Oct 21,
Name not displayed, Arizona
# 783:
11:34 am PDT, Oct 21,
Jennifer Morgen, Washington
I'm currently a student studying illustration, and I want to make sure I get my rights when I become a professional artist! I don't want anything of mine to be used without MY express permission!
I'm currently a student studying illustration, and I want to make sure I get my rights when I become a professional artist! I don't want anything of mine to be used without MY express permission!
# 782:
10:03 am PDT, Oct 21,
Melissa Stagi, California
I work really hard at my art and it's an insult that the government would make it legal for corporations to steal my work. I expect to get paid. What if we took away lawmakers salary and they had to work for free?
I work really hard at my art and it's an insult that the government would make it legal for corporations to steal my work. I expect to get paid. What if we took away lawmakers salary and they had to work for free?
# 781:
5:37 pm PDT, Oct 15,
Name not displayed, New Jersey
# 780:
6:52 pm PDT, Oct 8,
Krista Miller, Maryland
# 779:
11:47 am PDT, Oct 5,
Paul Scherer, Illinois
# 778:
11:13 am PDT, Oct 2,
Alexander Gonzalez, Florida
This laws seems to oppose the entire ethos of existing copyright laws, and in a way that makes art a yet less reliable way to make a living. For shame! Such an anti-artist law should not see the light of day, let alone be seriously considered.
This laws seems to oppose the entire ethos of existing copyright laws, and in a way that makes art a yet less reliable way to make a living. For shame! Such an anti-artist law should not see the light of day, let alone be seriously considered.
# 777:
3:32 pm PDT, Oct 1,
Name not displayed, California
# 776:
8:44 am PDT, Oct 1,
Mary Allegrucci, North Carolina
I am opposed to this bill. As an artist, my labor and rights are devalued through this bill. The corporate entity does not deserve the fruits of my labor nor that of any other artist.
I am opposed to this bill. As an artist, my labor and rights are devalued through this bill. The corporate entity does not deserve the fruits of my labor nor that of any other artist.
# 775:
8:00 am PDT, Oct 1,
James Guy, Tennessee
I am a young man with dreams of being a published writer. I am working hard on a book as well as the artwork for that book. I also have Art designed for T-Shirts and other forms of media. This is my plan to make money and provide myself my wife and my children a better future and a better education. Now I might have to worry about not getting paid because someone who didn't help me do the work could come up and mass-produce exact copies of my work. I don’t think so, I know four people who are depending on my work to provide for us, and At all cost this bill must be stopped!
I am a young man with dreams of being a published writer. I am working hard on a book as well as the artwork for that book. I also have Art designed for T-Shirts and other forms of media. This is my plan to make money and provide myself my wife and my children a better future and a better education. Now I might have to worry about not getting paid because someone who didn't help me do the work could come up and mass-produce exact copies of my work. I don’t think so, I know four people who are depending on my work to provide for us, and At all cost this bill must be stopped!
# 774:
8:16 pm PDT, Sep 30,
Jon Ausbrooks, Texas
i am an artist and filmmaker. this bill, as i understand it, seems an offense to the natural rights of an artist to his or her own work..and perhaps, if enacted would constitute a form of taxation through other means without the required avenues of constitutionally guaranteed representation.
i am an artist and filmmaker. this bill, as i understand it, seems an offense to the natural rights of an artist to his or her own work..and perhaps, if enacted would constitute a form of taxation through other means without the required avenues of constitutionally guaranteed representation.
# 773:
1:36 pm PDT, Sep 30,
Kimberly Ashworth, Missouri
I disaprove the Orphan Works Bill. Do not pass it! It is hard enough for independant artists to exist - don't make it harder.
I disaprove the Orphan Works Bill. Do not pass it! It is hard enough for independant artists to exist - don't make it harder.
# 772:
8:13 am PDT, Sep 30,
Name not displayed, Florida
# 771:
7:48 am PDT, Sep 30,
Xavier Hayeck, Florida
This Bill should not be allowed to pass. You will stifle creativity if such a thing were passed.
This Bill should not be allowed to pass. You will stifle creativity if such a thing were passed.
# 770:
7:44 pm PDT, Sep 29,
Jeanine Hames, California
# 769:
6:28 pm PDT, Sep 29,
Robert Sneed, Virginia
# 768:
9:42 am PDT, Sep 29,
David Gaudin, Oregon
I am not in favor of this bill.
I am not in favor of this bill.
# 767:
10:03 am PDT, Sep 28,
LaJean Chance, Colorado
This bill poses devastating effects for artists. Artists are talented people who should be held in high regard rather than prostituted. Theft is theft no matter who says it is ok.
This bill poses devastating effects for artists. Artists are talented people who should be held in high regard rather than prostituted. Theft is theft no matter who says it is ok.
# 766:
3:01 pm PDT, Sep 16,
Jed Williams, Pennsylvania
# 765:
7:21 am PDT, Sep 16,
Kim Blake Catano, New York
I am an artist and this is theft- pure and simple. I own my computer and everything that is in it. I own the paper or canvas or image I imprint my image on , even if I don't own the wall- I own what I put on the wall and it's my work no one else gets to benefit from it unless I say so. thanks for reading , I appreciate your hard work on our behalf.
I am an artist and this is theft- pure and simple. I own my computer and everything that is in it. I own the paper or canvas or image I imprint my image on , even if I don't own the wall- I own what I put on the wall and it's my work no one else gets to benefit from it unless I say so. thanks for reading , I appreciate your hard work on our behalf.
# 764:
6:49 pm PDT, Sep 14,
Sandra Levins, Iowa
My son is an artist. Please don't let big business take away his individuality!
My son is an artist. Please don't let big business take away his individuality!
# 763:
5:55 pm PDT, Sep 14,
Gregory Kenney, Illinois
I am an artist, and I have earned income with my God given talent for nearly two decades. The Orphan Works Bill is criminal in every way! It is just another slick trick of the Industrial Big Brother Complex to steal one more right from the people. You do not have to be an artist to be outraged by this injustice. When such laws are put into effect, it means that a person must pay Big Brother (the corporate/lobbyist/government pickpockets) or face the possible consequences—in this case, losing the rights to your work, which can then be “legally” stolen from you. Don’t be fooled! This bill is about creating another unnecessary law as a means to get a hold of your money. Here's the fear tactic: if you don’t pay, your are subject to legal theft. Rest assured, the ones who want you to pay will be the same ones doing the stealing! All such laws are nothing more than “un-consensual buggery” if you ask me.
I am an artist, and I have earned income with my God given talent for nearly two decades. The Orphan Works Bill is criminal in every way! It is just another slick trick of the Industrial Big Brother Complex to steal one more right from the people. You do not have to be an artist to be outraged by this injustice. When such laws are put into effect, it means that a person must pay Big Brother (the corporate/lobbyist/government pickpockets) or face the possible consequences—in this case, losing the rights to your work, which can then be “legally” stolen from you. Don’t be fooled! This bill is about creating another unnecessary law as a means to get a hold of your money. Here's the fear tactic: if you don’t pay, your are subject to legal theft. Rest assured, the ones who want you to pay will be the same ones doing the stealing! All such laws are nothing more than “un-consensual buggery” if you ask me.
# 762:
10:16 am PDT, Sep 14,
Kurt Terry, Arizona
# 761:
5:23 pm PDT, Sep 13,
Rachel Ledger, Texas
# 760:
1:56 pm PDT, Sep 13,
Charron Brock, Colorado
I am an artist trying to make a living off of my artwork. This bill has me very worried. It is already difficult to make a living off or my art and allowing others to profit from my efforts is very distressing. I also believer it to be very hypocritical for there to be such strong copyright law protection the music industry when hardworking artists, are being threatened. This is not just a case where someone might make a copy of an artwork. They will actually be able to profit from using work that is not their own. Please protect the rights of individual artists by insuring their copyrights and intellectual property rights are safe by saying “NO” to the Orphan works bill!
I am an artist trying to make a living off of my artwork. This bill has me very worried. It is already difficult to make a living off or my art and allowing others to profit from my efforts is very distressing. I also believer it to be very hypocritical for there to be such strong copyright law protection the music industry when hardworking artists, are being threatened. This is not just a case where someone might make a copy of an artwork. They will actually be able to profit from using work that is not their own. Please protect the rights of individual artists by insuring their copyrights and intellectual property rights are safe by saying “NO” to the Orphan works bill!
# 759:
11:15 am PDT, Sep 12,
Name not displayed, Texas
We, a husband wife team not the royal we, are semi retire artist and engineers who have made our living from IPR (intellectual property rights). It is hard enough now to protect these rights and our income. The Orphan Work Bill will make this even more difficult. It is all too easy as it is to abuse our work product as it is. As example we were just the past month offer some of our own work product for a fee. The seller had dodged our name and copyright from the work as well as removed other identifying information.
We, a husband wife team not the royal we, are semi retire artist and engineers who have made our living from IPR (intellectual property rights). It is hard enough now to protect these rights and our income. The Orphan Work Bill will make this even more difficult. It is all too easy as it is to abuse our work product as it is. As example we were just the past month offer some of our own work product for a fee. The seller had dodged our name and copyright from the work as well as removed other identifying information.
# 758:
10:41 am PDT, Sep 12,
Stephen Futej, Florida
there is no way i can afford to copyright every one of my works. they are not "orphans"; they are mine, and i need to defend my ownership rights without the financial obstacle of copyrights. this class warfare against the poor, and i demand my rights as an american citizen be defended!
there is no way i can afford to copyright every one of my works. they are not "orphans"; they are mine, and i need to defend my ownership rights without the financial obstacle of copyrights. this class warfare against the poor, and i demand my rights as an american citizen be defended!
# 757:
10:45 am PDT, Sep 11,
Laura Dimler, Georgia
trying to maintain integrity as an artist, with commercial interests, is already a difficult endeavor. please don't make it more difficult by stripping rights to creative work by default.
trying to maintain integrity as an artist, with commercial interests, is already a difficult endeavor. please don't make it more difficult by stripping rights to creative work by default.
# 756:
4:10 pm PDT, Sep 7,
Name not displayed, Minnesota
http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=pageone&category2=&article_no=3605&page=1 "Two proponents of this new legislation are Corbis and Getty Images. They are large stock photo and stock art companies. They sell art and photos inexpensively and are trying to build giant royalty-free databases. Do you see how they could benefit from considering most works of art in the world orphans? Do you know who owns Corbis? Bill Gates. He doesn't do anything unless it can make a huge amount of money. Helping you lose the copyright to your art is big business for Gates. "
http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=pageone&category2=&article_no=3605&page=1 "Two proponents of this new legislation are Corbis and Getty Images. They are large stock photo and stock art companies. They sell art and photos inexpensively and are trying to build giant royalty-free databases. Do you see how they could benefit from considering most works of art in the world orphans? Do you know who owns Corbis? Bill Gates. He doesn't do anything unless it can make a huge amount of money. Helping you lose the copyright to your art is big business for Gates. "
# 755:
12:50 pm PDT, Sep 6,
Misti Boe, Texas
# 754:
2:03 pm PDT, Sep 5,
Robert Magrish, Kentucky
# 753:
10:11 am PDT, Sep 5,
Catherine Tuggle, Maryland
# 752:
9:01 am PDT, Sep 5,
Lili Tuggle-Weir, Florida
# 751:
7:39 am PDT, Sep 5,
Noelle McCleaf, Minnesota
My artwork supports my personal income and well being, if big corporations can still my work without consent I'm out of the job, and no longer an individual art-maker. Say goodbye to individual artists and you've got a boring and non-inspiring, non-impacting, voiceless world.
My artwork supports my personal income and well being, if big corporations can still my work without consent I'm out of the job, and no longer an individual art-maker. Say goodbye to individual artists and you've got a boring and non-inspiring, non-impacting, voiceless world.
