Orphan Works - Digital Economy Bill - Protest NOW

The orphan works rears its ugly head again, this time disguised as Clause 43 of the Digital Economy Bill.

It seems there is still time to protest about Clause 43 of the digital economy

bill, which deals with orphan works.

To leave a comment, the Protest Site and here's how to find your MP.

If you're in the UK and an illustrator contact your MP now. 

If you'd like a sample letter, feel free to leave a comment or contact me via e-mail. :-) 

It is so important that we don't let the big companies take away our rights for fair compensation and for the right to decide who uses our images and where they are being used. No one should be allowed to take this right away, however, the clause is phrased so vaguely that it leaves us with little or no rights to our own creations and little compensation and no damages if we try to assertain our rights.

Orphan Act - Update and UK Info

Here are three addresses to contact with your concerns:

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills

http://www.dius.gov.uk/contact.html

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

http://www.culture.gov.uk/global/ContactUs/

The World Trade Organisation

http://www.wto.org/english/info_e/cont_e.htm

With regard to the WTO, it's an important place to contact, as this USA bill would totally conflict with the agreetments in place for enforcing copyright infringment.

If you are a member of Etsy or any other artist community, make sure you spread the word there, too.