Act now!
We've been banging on about proposed orphan works legislation for more than two years now, but it's an issue that still barely registers with most photographers. Now it's getting close to crunch time, following approval by a US committee to put the proposals in front of the House of Representatives.
To recap, an orphan work is one for which the copyright holder cannot be traced, such as a photograph without a credit. The proposed legislation would legalise the use of such images if an attempt has been made to trace the owner. Critics - ie, pretty much anyone who trades on their own copyright ownership - say the proposals will kill international accords and encourage widespread theft. What's more, to protect your images, you will be forced to register them with private, profit-run databases.
In other words, if your images have any value beyond their initial use, you would be vulnerable. If that's you, then please read Pete Jenkins' feature in this week's issue. Then get onto any photographic organisation you belong to and ask them what they're going to do about orphan works.
Simon Bainbridge, Editor.
