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Orphan Works in the UK
Neil Turner, Photographer
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Bournemouth | UK | United Kingdom | Posted: 8:48 AM on 03.23.10 |
->> The entire photographic community in the UK has been lobbying politicians and other interested bodies to try to stop the government enacting the Digital Economy Bill with Clauses 43 and 44 in tact which basically introduce a form of orphan works in the UK. This has huge implications across the world as we all now live in a transnational economy.
The time has come for photographers around the world to raise this with their own representatives and governments because, as the bill stands, you could all find your images being appropriated for bottom prices and your copyright being trampled by greedy and careless publishers.
The bill was meant to create a system within which we could all protect our rights (especially the film and music industries) and get what we are owed. What has transpired is a real dog's dinner which looks after big business but tramples all over the little guys and girls like most of us. Have a look at http://www.stop43.org.uk/ http://www.epuk.org/News/940/digital-economy-bill-briefing and http://copyrightaction.com/node which explains what could happen as early as May this year as the government tries to tie up it's legislative programme before the general election.
We had been lead to believe that the bill would not be rushed through but governments lie and give out false messages and it has now become clear that Orphan Works is about to become a reality in the UK and therefore will affect anyone whose images might be stolen and used here.
It all run contrary to international law and it is a disaster waiting to happen. Be warned and take action now by speaking to your own legislators, lawyers and professional bodies.
Neil |
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Jack Megaw, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Pittsburgh | PA | America | Posted: 3:37 PM on 03.23.10 |
->> Here is an email I received from British MP George Galloway.
"Dear Jack
Thank you for your email - I share your very justifiable concerns about the draconian measures contained in the Bill, and I am also angered by the way the government is preparing to rush it through - with the loyal support of the opposition and certain Lib Dem peers it would seem - without any time for proper debate or scrutiny.
I can only see this whole debacle as one last reckless insult to democracy from a regime that should have placed itself before the electorate long ago.
I've recently been expressing opposition to the Bill on Twitter and Facebook.
I am also writing to the Speaker to ask for proper Parliamentary time for scrutiny and debate.
Naturally I am in favour of the workers in all the relevant industries receiving fair remuneration, but I do not think that forcing through this Bill, with all its inherent dangers, against the profound misgivings of the public, is the way to go. Given time, and good will, I am sure that mutually acceptable solutions could emerge.
Once again, however, this government is prepared to trample over your human rights in the name of political expediency. Surely the last days of a dying government should have been devoted to more productive matters. What about freeing local councils to directly invest in housing? Or reforming the laws that criminalise photographers and people peacefully protesting? Or agreeing to a Robin Hood tax on the banks?
With best wishes
GG"
MY TAKE: We all have to pull together and really try to do something about this. Otherwise we are all at serious risk regardless of if we live in the UK or anywhere else. Our copyrights will be meaningless. I'm British (living in America) but I still realise the implications for even photographers even over here.
-Jack |
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Neil Turner, Photographer
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Bournemouth | UK | United Kingdom | Posted: 4:53 AM on 04.08.10 |
->> Just a quick note to say that WE WON!!! Section 43 of the UK Digital Economy Bill was removed and will not now become law. The effort from photographers and their professional organisations was awesome and there are a few people whose work qualifies them as heroes of our industry. Check out http://www.stop43.org.uk/ for the full story.
Thanks to everyone around the world who blogged, tweeted and emailed on the subject. There are a lot of very happy photographers in the UK right now.
The fight will resume after the General Election and we will be campaigning for better, stronger and fairer copyright and licensing laws. Here's to the next fight. |
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