Guild Advocacy 

Working to raise industry standards, and improve the ability of visual creators to achieve satisfying and rewarding careers.

Authors Guild v. Google Settlement

The Google Book Search Library Project

You are receiving this notice because we believe our membership may be interested in the settlement of a class action lawsuit regarding Google's scanning of books and other writings.  The proposed settlement affects the legal rights in the United States of authors and publishers throughout the world. Only published written works within copyright are included in this settlement.  Although images- including illustrations, graphics and photographs- are also included in the books scanned, this infringement lawsuit covered text only. 

To read the the full settlement notice to the public provided by the attorneys click here.

Backstory on the Google Print Library Project

Google, Yahoo and Microsoft Scan Library Books -- a blatant breach of International copyright law

In December 2004 Google entered into an agreement with 5 libraries to digitally scan library books and make them searchable online. Google has set up scanning centers to facilitate this.

The libraries are not seeking permission from authors or publishers to scan the books and make them available in digital format.

The "Google Print Library Project" is a blatant breach of international copyright law. Read the full story here.

Read the Statement of Objection to The Google Print Library Project by the International Federation of Reprographic Rights Organizations [IFRRO]. Click here for the pdf.

The Orphan Works Bill
Revisited in 2008

To learn more about the status and background of the bills, the Guild's position and more about how and when to contact your Senator click here.

Your Right To Unionize

The Senate voted on H.R. S.1041 - "The Employee Free Choice Act" - on June 26th.The Bill failed to pass by nine votes, all Repulican.
Click here for details…

Alert

Perpituity Contracts - DO NOT SIGN contracts granting Simon and Schuster all rights in perpituity until you... Click here for more info.

Copyright Protection for Fashion Designers - S. 1957

S. 1957, theDesign Piracy Prohibition Act [including Protection For Fashion Design], was introduced in the Senate on August 8, 2007.  The bill proposes to protect the copyright of fashion designs for 3 years.

Click for more information

Artists Tax Deduction for Donated Artwork Under Consideration

The Artist-Museum Partnership Act
Reintroduced in Congress

Show Congress Your Support! Click here for details

Photographer Tom Dallal wins Infringement Lawsuit Against NY Times 

Read about it here.

Copyright Registration and Date Certification Services -- What's the Scoop?

A number of copyright registration "services" and creation "date certification services" have sprung up around the US and online, seeking to make money off of artists, photographers and writers. Click here to download the pdf.

RRO Info

White Paper on Collective Rights Management, by Lisa Shaftel Click here to download the pdf.

"International Legislation" This Presentation is based on the joint IFRRO WIPO Publication on Collective Management in Reprography written by Tarja Koskinen-Olsson, April 2005

www.ifrro.org/show.aspx?pageid=copyright/intro&culture=en

"Foreign Reprographic Royalties" by Jonathan Combs, Guild National President, 1998-2000. Click here to download the pdf.

Don't 'ch wanna be in on this stuff?! The Graphic Artists Guild Advocacy Committee wants you! If you're a Guild member, drop our Advocacy Chair, Lisa Shaftel an email and let her know that your interested. Feel free to bring something to the table.

white paper (n.)