News
Orphan Works bill dies (at least for now)
The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) is reporting on the demise of the Orphan Works bill (the Copyright Modernization Act of 2006, HR 6052) which appears to have died in committee. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) who announced that he was withdrawing the bill from consideration at that markup session, which is likely to be the last one this year. The bill was stopped due to strong opposition put forth by organizations like the SAA, ASMP, APA, IPA, PACA, and many others. In addition, Rep. Smith had tied the Orphan Works bill to a digital music licensing bill creating further opposition from the music industry.
For now it seems that copyright owners can rest a bit easier but the experience has shown the importance of participating in the legislative process to be sure that the interests of creative professionals are represented. While the photography industry has greeted the news with relief, Nancy Wolff, Counsel to PACA, cautions that this is only a temporary reprieve. “This does not mean the bill is dead forever. It is expected to be brought up again, next year.” In addition, ASMP has vowed to continue watching and to start drafting their own version of a new bill that is more favorable to artists.
Click here for more details from the US Copyright Office.
Click here for more details from the ASMP.
Click here for more details from the SAA.
Click here to see the other point of view on Orphan Works from eldred.cc.
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Related stories:
US Copyright office raises registration fees (July 3, 2006)
Caricatures, orphan works, and the legacy of the Normans (April 25, 2006)
More on Orphan Works (March 24, 2006)
PACA and ASMP leading the charge on Orphan Works (March 3, 2006)
Posted in: Legal / Copyright, News, Orphan Works, Photographers, Stock Photo Companies
