No doubt you've read and maybe be even said some things about the "Orphaned Works" redefinition that is looking for sponsorship. I know I've read a lot about it in the last two days. My opinion is not going to be popular because I think the fear is unwarranted.

This proposed legislation was drafted in 2006 and ironically was orphaned before it could become even a Bill up on Capitol Hill ... This is the draft as originally written. [link]

If this is to be re-introduced it will have to be drafted based on the 2006 legislation. Even to a layman, me, it's quite obvious this bill is not in any way shape or form requiring that creators copyright every creation. It does not talk about cost or overhead, there is no Big Brother-esque overtones. The bills intention is to free up works that have been orphaned and do not yet fall into public domain. To be declared orphaned the parties seeking a creations release must follow due diligence, proving there are no owners of the creation.

It is great to see so many people worked up over this proposed legislation and redefinition because it guarantees that if the 2006 draft on "Orphaned Works" gets rewritten to become this nefarious legislation that it has very little hope of becoming a bill.

I think this is a case of a biased organization crying wolf because they are misconstruing the original draft and it's intent to free up works that have truly become orphaned, yet languish for years because they haven't met the public domain criteria. And because this organization is loud and vocal and, apologies to everyone, the average person will listen without regard that the loud, vocal, we are your watchdog and have your back organization, might be horribly wrong.

If you feel strongly about this, research it, follow it's gestation, and should it burgeon into a full fledge piece of legislation as horrible as suggested go to your congressman. Don't just jump on the boat because everyone else is. That will surely sink us all.

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That's enough about our future gloom and doom. I'm going to be in stealth mode for the next couple weeks. I've got a big project due that's attached to some big money, at least to me it is.

Keep on arting, and I'll talk at you later.

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Ron Phillips