The Shawn Bentley Orphan Works Act: How New Copyright Legislation Will Affect Indie Artists and Crafters

Autumn Wiggins — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:05:22 +0000

Amid a dwindling economy, a controversial war, and an incomprehensible environmental crisis, it’s easy to overlook the more “benign” pitter-patter of Capitol Hill. As modern makers we declare independence in a sense, through what we create, but count on the protection of copyright in order to exclusively maintain our intellectual property. The Shawn Bentley Orphan Works Act, if allowed to become law, will drastically weaken and complicate rights of individuals to pursue damages for copyright infringement. This legislation claims good intentions, yet has been drafted with dangerous loopholes.

I urge the indie craft community to take a closer look at this bill, and act quickly… it was introduced to congress on April 24th, 2008, and is rumored to be fast-tracked to a vote.

In this special two-part post, I will introduce you to the legislation, and Skye will jump in later with some advocacy tips.

Reclaim Mother’s Day

Lucille Chi — Tue, 06 May 2008 16:39:12 +0000

Code Pink would like you to reclaim Mother’s day with ways to donate to suffering mothers and their children in Iraq.

Code Pink shares the mothers day inventor from 1870~Julia Ward Howe’s Mother’s Day Proclamation

Arise then…women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts..

Green Options » Art Activism

The Shawn Bentley Orphan Works Act: How New Copyright Legislation Will Affect Indie Artists and Crafters

Reclaim Mother’s Day