As some of you may have heard, Congress is working on major changes to U.S. copyright laws. The new law, called the “Orphan Works Act” has good intentions but will have disastrous results. Congress is trying to make it easier for people to use non-copyrighted images, but in the process they are opening the door too wide. The new law would make it easy for someone to violate your copyright and difficult for you to get compensated for the infringement. Illustrator Tom Richmond gives a good summary of the issue on his blog. Or, for more detailed information visit the Illustrators’ Partnership website.
If you make a living or gain any income from creating artwork, you have real cause for concern. This is definitely something to write or call your congressmen about.