The Orphan Works Act 2008 - Bad for Artists, Photographers, Creatives
Everywhere

How would you like to be required to register all of your artistic
work with a private body in order to avoid the risk of being
designated "orphan" and open for use by anyone?  The Orphan Works Act,
introduced this year and intended to be fast-tracked through Congress,
aims to have this happen.

This bill can make any and all creative work not registered with a
Government-approved private body completely vulnerable to being taken
and used in any way, by anyone, with the onus on the creator of
copyrighted work to find the infringer, rather than being protected by
default as it is now.

This bill is ominous and scary for creatives anywhere.  And by summer
it will be law unless it is stopped.

Read more

http://www.epuk.org/Opinion/848/uncle-sams-thieves-charter?pg=2

http://copyrightaction.com/forum/orphan-works-bills-introduced-in-usa

And ACT.  CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR:

Visit

http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

To quickly find the phone number, address, e-mail of every U.S.
Senator, U.S. Representative, Governor and State Legislator. PLEASE BE
POLITE AND CONSTRUCTIVE. Threats only work against us artists. We need
to make a professional impression to be taken seriously.

Make yourself be heard. Protect your creations. Every voice counts and
so does your right to control your own creations. YOU NEED TO WRITE
LETTERS NOW!

We only have a few days to make ourselves heard, as the Senate and
House will only allow a short time for comments. Call them, send e-
mails and fax letters.

If you don't prove you care about your work, the Congressmen and
Senators who WORK FOR US won't care either. Show them you care!