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September 28, 2006
'ORPHAN WORKS' BILL DIES IN COMMITTEE
Independent photographers and illustrators are breathing a sigh
of relief: The latest Orphan Works bill (the Copyright
Modernization Act of 2006, HR 6052) appears to have died in
committee. On Wednesday, Sept. 27, the bill's sponsor, Rep. Lamar
Smith (R-TX), announced that he was withdrawing the bill from
consideration at that markup session, which is likely to be the
last one this year. He said that he did not see any reasonable
chance that it would be signed into law in the current Congress.
He also said that he plans to introduce another bill when the new
Congress convenes next year.
The efforts of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP)
and its allies in representing and organizing members' opposition
to the bill, bolstered by many expressions of concern from
individual photographers and illustrators, played a significant
role in stopping the legislation. In addition, Rep. Smith's move
of tying the Orphan Works legislation to a digital music
licensing bill appears to have created the additional opposition
needed to stop the bill in this Congress.
ASMP president Clem Spalding said, "Our efforts have paid off!
This is great news! Now, ASMP will continue to work with our
allies in an effort to improve future Orphan Works legislation
and diminish the potential liability and burden for visual
artists."
This battle has been won, but the war is not over. ASMP will be
watching closely to be sure that the bill does not suddenly
reappear in any late-fall, "lame duck" session. And we will start
drafting our own version of a new bill, favorable to
photographers and artists, for possible introduction in the next
Congress.
For further information, contact:
Eugene Mopsik, Executive Director
215-451-ASMP (215-451-2767)
email mopsik@asmp.org
ABOUT ASMP
Founded in 1944, the American Society of Media Photographers
(ASMP) is the leading trade association for photographers who
photograph primarily for publication. ASMP promotes
photographers' rights, educates photographers in better business
practices, produces business publications for photographers, and
helps buyers find professional photographers. It has more than
5,000 members, including many of the world's greatest
photographers, in 39 chapters nationwide.
Posted by Pat at September 28, 2006 04:22 PM
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