Orphan Works Petition

nathancombs · 06-20-2008, 03:22 PM

Stop Anti-Free Speech, Anti-Artist, Anti-Journalist Legislation in Congress Petition

for photographers in the US

MRRiley · 06-20-2008, 03:46 PM

Already signed it..... Come on folks. this is important!

*Tom S.* · 06-20-2008, 04:28 PM

For what it's worth, online petitions aren't worth the paper they are (not) written on. Since there is no way to verify the signatures, the law has ruled them null and void.

I'm not saying the cause isn't just, but if you want to have real impact, contact your representatives via mail or phone.

MRRiley · 06-20-2008, 08:02 PM

Already did that too Tom (wrote them all)... But signing an online petition doesnt HURT...

and btw, I don't believe that the law has said that they are outright invalid. it is more that they are not quantifiable or verifiable and thus couldnt be used in a legal proceeding. If the receiving agency wishes to accept them though I don't see that that could be prohibited... In fact, eventually I believe they will become accepted and/or preferred.

DISCLAIMER... I am not a Lawyer, nor do I play one on TV. Take my opinions for what they are worth... Add 23 cents and you might be able to buy a 25 cent newspaper.

*Tom S.* · 06-21-2008, 07:04 AM

The law states all petitions have to be signed and include the signors residential address. That doesn't mean you can't do an online petition to be used as a poll, it just means that they are not accepted as petitions for legal purposes.

MRRiley · 06-21-2008, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by Tom S.

The law states all petitions have to be signed and include the signors residential address. That doesn't mean you can't do an online petition to be used as a poll, it just means that they are not accepted as petitions for legal purposes.

I believe I said that when I said "they are not quantifiable or verifiable and thus couldnt be used in a legal proceeding." Submitting an online petition to congress is not illegal, they just don't have to accept it. No guarantee that they won't take it though. Heck, NO petition is "binding" regardless of signatures or addresses. It just expresses the wishes of the signatories and does not obligate the recipient to do anything. The only exceptions to this are petitions which validate that a person running for political office has a sufficient level of support to qualify for the race or to place a particular piece of legislation on a ballot for the electorate to vote on. Other than those two special types of petitions, no petition, online or on-paper carries any more weight than the recipient choses to give it.

As you suggest, by all means, everyone should write their congress critters. I did and have already received replies saying basically "tough luck, I will be voting yes for it because your concerns are groundless." Well, that of course is their perogative and is a privilege of their office... But I wrote them back and told them I was sorry they chose to vote yes and ignore the rights of creators in favor of the convenience of consumers and that I would remember their position in the next election and vote accordingly myself. Will they listen? Probably not, but at least they know where I stand.

Hopefully, other folks will receive more supportive replies from the servants they sent to Washington. Mine have evidently forgotten that they work for ALL of the people, not just big business and special interest groups (which we are admittedly too of course).

*Tom S.* · 06-21-2008, 06:14 PM

Umm, aren't we basically saying the same thing?

PDL · 06-21-2008, 10:59 PM

As mentioned in another thread go here:
ASMP

Then go here:
ASMP

Modify the letter as you see fit - and send it to your senators. If you are outside the US, then b*tch to your government that the US is not abiding by the Berne treaty. Whatever you do - do something. You only have to do nothing to lose.

The Elitist - formerly known as PDL