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!
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We signed the "Ban the Orphan Works Bill!" petition!
# 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.
# 750:
6:08 pm PDT, Sep 4,
S. B. Palmer, Wisconsin
It would take away due credit for the hard work and time spent on her products. It would be leagle stealing and stealing is just not the American way.
It would take away due credit for the hard work and time spent on her products. It would be leagle stealing and stealing is just not the American way.
# 749:
12:16 pm PDT, Sep 4,
Duane Sickmann, Minnesota
I have an artist in my life and want to support them in this fight against there rights.
I have an artist in my life and want to support them in this fight against there rights.
# 748:
8:28 am PDT, Sep 4,
Name not displayed, New Jersey
i find it sad how little you care about people who are running small businesses artists are those people. personally i can't afford hundreds of fees for my art work. does that mean that in every show that you so you should let people photograph your work so they can use it. i can just imagine i pay the show fees and the insurance and they get to use my work for free. How is that fair I think you are just doing this because big busniess has run out of ideas and want to steal the little guys ideas for free.
i find it sad how little you care about people who are running small businesses artists are those people. personally i can't afford hundreds of fees for my art work. does that mean that in every show that you so you should let people photograph your work so they can use it. i can just imagine i pay the show fees and the insurance and they get to use my work for free. How is that fair I think you are just doing this because big busniess has run out of ideas and want to steal the little guys ideas for free.
# 747:
7:47 am PDT, Sep 4,
Deborah Sickmann, Minnesota
The Orphan works bill is totaly unfair for artist who spend a lot of time creating art work only to have it stolen by an unfair bill that is being considered for passage. I am an artist and I earn my living from my art and you want to give away my rights to my work and take my income away. How would you feel if this would happen to you? This is a very rotten thing to do or even consider the passage of such a bill. This is just another Con by Cons!
The Orphan works bill is totaly unfair for artist who spend a lot of time creating art work only to have it stolen by an unfair bill that is being considered for passage. I am an artist and I earn my living from my art and you want to give away my rights to my work and take my income away. How would you feel if this would happen to you? This is a very rotten thing to do or even consider the passage of such a bill. This is just another Con by Cons!
# 746:
6:46 am PDT, Sep 4,
Craig Gallagher, Minnesota
# 745:
3:05 pm PDT, Sep 2,
Krystal Allen, California
I am an artist and I oppose this bill. If it passes I think that it is only fair that the corporations that would benefit from this should share their profits with me. I want 10% of EVERYTHING!
I am an artist and I oppose this bill. If it passes I think that it is only fair that the corporations that would benefit from this should share their profits with me. I want 10% of EVERYTHING!
# 744:
8:40 am PDT, Sep 2,
Candice Davis, Texas
# 743:
12:16 pm PDT, Aug 31,
Mike O'Haire, California
# 742:
9:20 am PDT, Aug 31,
David Barker, Oregon
I've been a writer all my life and created thousands of stories and poems. Many have been published and are protected under current copyright law without me having to pay anyone a fee for registering them. I could not afford to pay to register all these works under the proposed law and my work would thus become public domain, free to be used by people who have made no investment in the work. They would benefit and I would not. This law violates the right of artists and their heirs to benefit from their work. I am very opposed to the law.
I've been a writer all my life and created thousands of stories and poems. Many have been published and are protected under current copyright law without me having to pay anyone a fee for registering them. I could not afford to pay to register all these works under the proposed law and my work would thus become public domain, free to be used by people who have made no investment in the work. They would benefit and I would not. This law violates the right of artists and their heirs to benefit from their work. I am very opposed to the law.
# 741:
3:11 pm PDT, Aug 27,
Marilyn Blutter, California
this is plain wrong.
this is plain wrong.
# 740:
10:23 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Deonte Tatum, Ohio
# 739:
11:05 pm PDT, Aug 24,
Name not displayed, New Mexico
I am an artist and have always felt strongly about the unique nature of my work. Multitudes of web sites and numerous links increases an artists' exposure and may help with commerce. but it also has opened the door for "persons who are not so honest" and mine sites for "inspiration".(like a certain domestic diva with the initials MS). Artist need their work and images protected.
I am an artist and have always felt strongly about the unique nature of my work. Multitudes of web sites and numerous links increases an artists' exposure and may help with commerce. but it also has opened the door for "persons who are not so honest" and mine sites for "inspiration".(like a certain domestic diva with the initials MS). Artist need their work and images protected.
# 738:
8:31 pm PDT, Aug 21,
Name not displayed, Texas
# 737:
12:13 pm PDT, Aug 21,
Ananda Saha`, New Mexico
Most artists work long hours and make sacrifices to create their work. For others - corporations especially - to benefit from their work with out paying any compensation to the artists is completely unacceptable and even immoral. Please ban the ophan works bill!!
Most artists work long hours and make sacrifices to create their work. For others - corporations especially - to benefit from their work with out paying any compensation to the artists is completely unacceptable and even immoral. Please ban the ophan works bill!!
# 736:
7:44 am PDT, Aug 21,
Jeremy Langston, Colorado
# 735:
5:22 pm PDT, Aug 20,
Jared Gates, Colorado
# 734:
6:13 pm PDT, Aug 19,
Patricia Mitchell, Indiana
I know several writer's and artist world wide who would be against this.
I know several writer's and artist world wide who would be against this.
# 733:
4:25 pm PDT, Aug 11,
Name not displayed, California
I am an artist and a teacher. The fact that the work I create is currently protected under copyright the minute it is created is very important, both to me and to the livelihood of all of my students. Please do not pass a bill that would take away our rights. Most artists can not afford to register each piece of work they create. Don't allow corporations or individuals to steal artists ideas without consequences.
I am an artist and a teacher. The fact that the work I create is currently protected under copyright the minute it is created is very important, both to me and to the livelihood of all of my students. Please do not pass a bill that would take away our rights. Most artists can not afford to register each piece of work they create. Don't allow corporations or individuals to steal artists ideas without consequences.
# 732:
3:26 pm PDT, Aug 10,
Antonia Marie, Missouri
# 731:
10:29 am PDT, Aug 9,
Elizabeth Ackman, Georgia
This bill would nullify my rights as a Jewelry Designer artist, and allow anyone to copy my protected designs without penalty.
This bill would nullify my rights as a Jewelry Designer artist, and allow anyone to copy my protected designs without penalty.
# 730:
1:55 pm PDT, Aug 8,
Name not displayed, California
# 729:
8:16 pm PDT, Aug 4,
David Bowden, New Jersey
you're just out to crush artists aren't you?
you're just out to crush artists aren't you?
# 728:
3:06 pm PDT, Aug 3,
Keith A. Watts, Massachusetts
# 727:
8:12 am PDT, Jul 22,
Jacob Holderness, United Kingdom
the bill is a joke. a corporate foot trying to crush the life out of the creative community.It absolutely amounts to the legalisation of theft.
the bill is a joke. a corporate foot trying to crush the life out of the creative community.It absolutely amounts to the legalisation of theft.
# 726:
1:42 pm PDT, Jul 19,
Dorinda Arney, Missouri
# 725:
5:50 am PDT, Jul 18,
Name not displayed, New Jersey
Why make something when there's no motivation? If I can live off of just one piece I create, why make more?
Why make something when there's no motivation? If I can live off of just one piece I create, why make more?
# 724:
7:37 pm PDT, Jul 17,
Mary Dawson, Wisconsin
# 723:
6:17 pm PDT, Jul 16,
Marcia Mosby, Nevada
One of my best friends and several others are independent artists and need the freedom to paractice their art.
One of my best friends and several others are independent artists and need the freedom to paractice their art.
# 722:
6:15 pm PDT, Jul 16,
Name not displayed, Australia
This bill has to be stopped. As an artist, I want MY things to remain MY things. Most artists wont be able to afford to register every single thing they do and under the present proposed bill, this leaves too may 'gaps' to MY work being stolen.......because thats what it will be....stealing anothers work.
This bill has to be stopped. As an artist, I want MY things to remain MY things. Most artists wont be able to afford to register every single thing they do and under the present proposed bill, this leaves too may 'gaps' to MY work being stolen.......because thats what it will be....stealing anothers work.
# 721:
5:43 pm PDT, Jul 16,
Kimberly Stewart, Washington
I spend long hours and into the late night creating my graphics. It would be a shame that I would lose the copyright to something that I put so much time into.
I spend long hours and into the late night creating my graphics. It would be a shame that I would lose the copyright to something that I put so much time into.
# 720:
11:07 am PDT, Jul 16,
Elizabeth Fruhling, Maryland
# 719:
8:46 am PDT, Jul 16,
Annette Beacham, Florida
# 718:
3:41 pm PDT, Jul 14,
Name not displayed, Texas
As an artist this robs the creative motivation we thrive on, if someone is to just come along and say that your idea is theirs or vice-a-versa it destroys the whole process. This will have a ripple effect hurting the film, advertising, and art industry..
As an artist this robs the creative motivation we thrive on, if someone is to just come along and say that your idea is theirs or vice-a-versa it destroys the whole process. This will have a ripple effect hurting the film, advertising, and art industry..
# 717:
8:48 am PDT, Jul 14,
Name not displayed, California
Because artist are our life blood of culture.
Because artist are our life blood of culture.
# 716:
9:52 pm PDT, Jul 13,
Sean Kelley, California
this will not stand.. this aggression will not stand, man
this will not stand.. this aggression will not stand, man
# 715:
9:27 pm PDT, Jul 13,
Kathy Shippen, California
# 714:
8:24 pm PDT, Jul 13,
Rosa and Miguel Rodriguez, California
As it is some artists barley make a living, now they have to register their work, in order to sell their work, sorry that is wrong. Yes , we can prevent this.
As it is some artists barley make a living, now they have to register their work, in order to sell their work, sorry that is wrong. Yes , we can prevent this.
# 713:
6:51 pm PDT, Jul 13,
Sandee Manuel, California
Unbelievable! This bill can't be for real?! Is nothing sacred!
Unbelievable! This bill can't be for real?! Is nothing sacred!
# 712:
2:45 am PDT, Jul 13,
Name not displayed, New Zealand
# 710:
4:59 am PDT, Jul 11,
Michele Grady, New Jersey
# 709:
8:04 pm PDT, Jul 9,
Margaret Cuff, Indiana
This bill will take the phrase "starving artist" to a whole other level.
This bill will take the phrase "starving artist" to a whole other level.
# 708:
6:08 pm PDT, Jul 9,
Julia Stott, Canada
Everyone should own the rights to their own creative work without having to pay to have it registered.
Everyone should own the rights to their own creative work without having to pay to have it registered.
# 707:
4:47 pm PDT, Jul 9,
Marcia Smith, Indiana
Yes, there is an artist in my life and I feel it is highway robbery to be able to benefit monetarily for being able to copy someone else's original idea. The person that created an original piece of art should be the one to be able to benefit from their work. If this is passed it will destroy the creative process!
Yes, there is an artist in my life and I feel it is highway robbery to be able to benefit monetarily for being able to copy someone else's original idea. The person that created an original piece of art should be the one to be able to benefit from their work. If this is passed it will destroy the creative process!
# 706:
8:00 am PDT, Jul 8,
Laura Robinson, Michigan
# 705:
6:42 am PDT, Jul 8,
Barbara Smith, Indiana
As an artist, I am appalled that this bill is even being considered. Our government has truly lost its way.
As an artist, I am appalled that this bill is even being considered. Our government has truly lost its way.
# 704:
6:20 pm PDT, Jul 3,
Amy Ta, Arizona
A artist, like an writer should have the rights to own what they create. No one whould be able to take that right from us.
A artist, like an writer should have the rights to own what they create. No one whould be able to take that right from us.
# 703:
2:03 pm PDT, Jul 1,
Melissa Brazeal, California
# 702:
1:23 pm PDT, Jul 1,
Jesse Shiyou, Mississippi
# 701:
12:32 pm PDT, Jul 1,
Name not displayed, Oklahoma
