It seems there is a lot of fear going around about the bill that MAY (but unlikely) be passed in the United States.
Fist off, I dont see it happening. Too many people are against it.
Organizations like ASMP (kind of like a photographers union) will never let it happen. So dont start panicking.
The best way to fight your fear is to become more informed about what this bill really entails. much like Matt
[link] and many others have done
Also to figure out what orphaned art really is. It is art that cant be traced back to its original owner.
So if youre afraid of your work being orphaned then water mark the hell out of it. Problem solved.
Now as of photography stands.
Back in the day of film, the holder of the negative was the owner, it the digital its much harder to prove ownership.
Shoot raw format! I cant stress this enough.
Those that shoot digital should shoot raw.
Not only do you have the better quality image, but in some legal cases you can use the raw file to prove you are the original owner of the image.
Canadian copyright law info
Alright, if people were stressing before they should really take this into account. So many people dont know this fact it scares me.
In Canada, the COMMISONER of the piece of art (in any format) is the OWNER of the copyright.
So say you live in America. Someone in Canada commissions a piece of fan-art of their favored anime character. They now own copyright to that image.
Copyright law is governed in the country where the art was commissioned.
Now I bet your asking yourself how do I stop this from happening?
It just so happens I have an answer to that question.
And that would be
..
..
Contracts!
Carefully constructing a contract will save your butt.
1. If you state in your contract that you own the copyright in defiantly then YOU keep the copyright no matter which countrys laws are governing the contract.
2. State in your contract where the law of the contract is to be governed. Eg. This contract is to be governed under the Ontario court of law (this really helps if your doing work for a client outside of your country)
I really hope this helps out all those people who are lost and confused about copyright laws.
If anyone has any questions, I will do my best to answer them.
***********************************************
Stuff for Sale
[link] Gallery showing May 2008
Colourgentics
Toronto, Ontairo
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I support

&
in their never ending quest to keep DA free of art-theft and violations.
Peps:
Clubs & Organizations:

Devious Comments
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KakaIru Rules!
L Rules!
I Rule!
Also, I couldn't help flipping around in your gallery and when I saw that seven deadly sins picture, I instantly fav'd it. It was so funny! I'll definitely stick around and eagerly await your next work!
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Gimme moh.
NOW STARTING- The Tales of Unused Artes Contest! Join up! (For Abyss only, sorry!)
ENTRIES END MAY 26, SO GET OF YER AZZ!
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Everyone deserves love and respect.
A good work was seen.
did i already mentioned... i
greetings from germany
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"Most things in life are moments of pleasure and a lifetime of embarrassment; photography is a moment of embarrassment and a lifetime of pleasure..." ~ Tony Benn
Hope the beer tastes as good as it looks
Great gallery
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It's gotta get harder before it gets any easier.
Remember yesterday, prepare for tomorrow, live for today.
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"Contrary to what most people say, the most dangerous animal in the world is not the lion or the tiger or even the elephant. It's a shark riding on an elephant's back, just trampling and eating everything they see."
~Jack Handy, SNL
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Falling in love is like taking a shit....is a human need
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Kind regards
Monique
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Everytime I try to fly, I fall without my wings I feel so small.
Navi Katorin +
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