this is disturbing...

please check out my friend claudine hellmuth's blog.  it discusses a very disturbing "Orphan Act" up for voting.  this effects all crafters, designers, authors etc. and scrapbookers too. my post here brings up the issue to scrapbookers because their photos on the internet will be subject to this new copyright legislation. and this new bill will essentially make them public domain. take a moment and make your voice heard.  i did it, and honestly it took less than one minute to do so...t!m

Comments

[Tanis]

The link doesn't seem to be working....at least from my computer :)

[claudine hellmuth]

Tim

thanks for posting about this important issue!
claudine
http://claudinehellmuth.blogspot.com/

[BethW]

Technical-just access Claudine's blog from the list of Tim's favorite blogs-on the right.
I sent the message and will post about on it on some other sights. Thanks for the info-I had seen stuff about this before, but Claudia's blog made it easier for me to understand.

[Karen]

That is sick. Why do people want to do this sort of thing? I will be finding out about ways to watermark my photos before I put anymore on line, and removing those I have already posted. Thanks for the head's up on this, Tim.

[Laurie]

Yikes Tim! Thank You for heads up. I post a lot of pictures of my two little girls and the idea of someone using them for purposes other than what I intended just makes me sick!

If we can't protect our own family photos....expecially those of our children...then what?

Again thanks for the heads up....would never have heard about this if not for you!

Thanks Bunches
Laurie

[Jewels]

I saw this too, Tim. It's really infuriating, isn't it? An attempt to steal creative material disguised as "protection". It would effectively put sites like Flickr and 2Peas out of business. Who would want to post anything anymore if they have to pay to retain ownership of it?

[debby]

thanks tim, I'm putting up the link on my blog also....I'd hate not to be able to show my work or even share my family since I have great grandmothers, aunts and uncles that live far away. I don't understand why they think they can just take and use an image without consent. Try using an imagine of National Geographic or MSNBC...I imagine we would hear a bigger out rage.

[christina]

I actually understood how she said it versus how I've been seeing it written. Sent my bit in and will post a link on my blog.

[Ingvild Bolme]

Thank you for bringing this important issue up Tim!
On eBay there is an advertising for scrapbooking products that use one of my layouts with a picture of my little daughter (4 weeks old) on. It was terrible to find this out, and the owner did never ask me if she could use it. And it is still there, several months later... She hasn't even wrote who made the layout, and it looks like in the advertisment that it is them that have made it. But it is all mine, and a picture of my little baby...

So this is an important case, it can not be OK to use private pictures in this way.

Thank you Tim!

[lorraine rigby]

thanks for posting this info up and making people more aware that anyone can use photos of your kids for unsavoury projects not just in advertising..this is why I never put up scrapbook layouts of my family only photos of my collage art type stuff...however I wouldnt want that used either without my permission. On a happier note thanks for more of the how to video posts keep up the excellent work and thanks Tim from a fan in Liverpool, UK

[Luanne]

Done!
As if it's not difficult enough for an artist to support themself. Actually we were at the local children's museum, then noticed my daughter's face in the Chicago Tribune as advertising! I was flattered, so didn't do anything, but YES it does happen. And, they never notified me!

[Dolly/scrapthat]

I thought this could have some very scary consequences...I passed on Claudine's Blog addy and did a post on CKMB about this.
Thanks for letting us know.
Dolly

[Ron Perry]

Thanks for letting us know about very important issue!

[Carole]

I have a blog where I post pictures, not only of my art work, but of my photography, and would hate to think that those photos could be used by anyone at any time without my consent. I had heard whisperings about this issue but haven't been sure what it was all about until now. Thanks for the info.

[Sudie Alexander]

Thanks, Tim. Claudine did an excellent job explaining the situation. ~Sudie

[Kim D in FL]

Done from me!

How dare they...

Thanks Tim for making me aware... and to Claudine for making it really easy for MY voice to be heard as well.

~Kim D

[Jen Ulasiewicz]

Ugh how disgusting. Thank you so much for bringing this to everyone's attention! I sent the letter and I really hope something comes of it. Thanks again! :)
~Jen

[Mike]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I've posted about it on my blog (and linked to Claudine's post).

You're right: it only takes about a minute to fill out the form and hit the 'send' button to let our Senators and Sepresentatives hear our voice.

Thanks again!

[Christine Schwab]

Thanks for giving us this info! I sent mine off immediatly. Crazy people! It's pretty bad when they (the people that are trying to pass this) can't hire thier own photographers/creative team to get the info/image that they need. Cheap scheming buggers! Long live art!

[Kelli Caslow]

I blogged it too, thanks for posting this!

[wendy vecchi]

Tim & Claudine too...
Thanks for the easy to understand update on this issue.
I sent mine & I'll get it on my blog too.
THANKS!
wendy

[Julie]

I've seen this topic posted on four different web sites this morning, Tim and Claudine's blogs, the CK message board and a photography forum that I frequently visit. It's very scary to think that this bill might pass!

It was at the photography forum that I found a link to an great interview with a representative from the Illustrator's Partnership regarding this bill. It's a bit long, but VERY informative:
http://www.sellyourtvconceptnow.com/orphan/orphan_works_information.mp3

Please take the time to inform yourself and email your House and Senate Representatives. There is a pre-formed letter here: http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/issues/alert/?alertid=11333001 Like Tim said, it only takes minute to fill it out. The website will compose the emails correctly and send them to your appropriate reps and will also send a copy to the email addy that you list.
THANKS!

[Rachel]

Oh and if I read the bill wrong, I apologize, but I read it line for line and this is what I got out of it. If anyone else that has read the bill themsleves line for line wants to point out something I didn't see, I would love to adjust my view.

[Lisa Vollrath]

Rather than taking away rights to our images, this bill gives additional protection to copyright holders. Please read the bill---it really isn't a bad thing.

[tigger]

Took less than a minute! Thank you!

#1 ;-)

[claudine hellmuth]

Because this is such an involved and confusing topic, I am directing my blog readers to Tammy Browning Smith.

She is a lawyer for the licensing and craft industry and she has posted to her Arts and Crafts Law Blog where you can get really informed answers from her, here's the link:

http://artsandcraftslaw.blogspot.com/

[Denise Morris]

I sent a heads up notice to everyone in my address book online. The letters only took a minute of time just like you said. Thanks for the information Tim!!

xoxo Denise (Beer?)

[jimini78]

Tim and Claudine - Thanks for the heads up on this. Hopefully word will spread quickly and in time to defeat this one again. Mine are on the way to Indiana's.

[Vicki Flinchum]

Thanks for sharing this Tim!!!!

[Sandy]

Tim - thank you for alerting me to this! I think I live in a bubble some day, as I am housebound and disabled... I immediately wrote to the senators and congressman of my state! This is reprehensible... Good Lord... Thank you again!!!

[Ruby Craft]

Tim, thanks for bringing this to our attention. I have just become comfortable with posting on the internet and now this! Thanks for looking out for us and showing us ways we can make a difference.

[Michelle W]

Glad to see such a big name in out industry signing the petetion on the Ophran Bill. I have already signed the petetion.

[RobinG2b]

Tim, Thanks for the link! I sent my letters off! Hope you're enjoying Alaska!!!

[Courtney]

I already signed the petition!

[Vel]

Thanks so much for posting this important info.