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Orphan Works Letterwriting Campaign!
Urgent Action Required
Dear Members:
Legislation is currently pending in the House of Representatives, Bill # H.R. 5439, also known as the Orphan Works bill. If this Bill passes, it could be damaging to your profession. Now is the time to write letters to your Congressional Representatives to urge them to vote against this Bill. The Graphic Artists Guild, American Society of Media Photographers [ASMP], and the other members of the Coalition on Orphan Works, is calling for another round of letters.
The Coalition is asking everyone, If possible, to fax/mail your letters by next Tuesday, JULY 18, 2006. It’s also fine if you send it a little later. Sending the letter is what’s important so that Congress knows where we stand with this Bill.
(For the actual text of H.R. 5439 click here or go to http://www.gag.org/activities/advocacy_materials/HR_Orphan_Woriks_Act)2006.php.)
We need you to send two (2) letters: One to your House Representative, and one to the members of the House Judiciary Committee.
1) House Judiciary Committee Letter.
For the House Judiciary Committee, Download and fax/mail the Orphan Works Sample Letter (click PDF format or Word format) to the list of Committee members (click here) and urge them to defeat H.R. 5439.
We believe that Rep. Lamar Smith (Chairman of the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property which is part of the House Judiciary Committee) will try to move this bill through the full House Judiciary Committee quickly, so it is important that you contact these lawmakers right away.
It is especially important for Californians to take action, because Howard Berman (CA, 28th), the Ranking Minority Member of the Subcommittee, and Subcommittee member Darrell Issa (CA, 49th) are particularly sensitive to concerns of visual creators.
In addition, Reps. Bob Goodlatte (VA, 6th) and Howard Coble (NC, 6th) seem interested in helping our cause. Further, Rep. John Conyers (MI, 14th) is especially responsive to the needs of writers.
2) House Representative Letter.
For the House Representative, download andfax/mail the Orphan Works Sample Letter (click PDF format or Word format) to your House Representative using your own letterhead [please do not send an email; they are ineffective]. To find the name and fax number of your representatives in the House, go to http://www.house.gov/writerep/, and enter your zip code. Once you know who your Representative is, go to http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml. Find your Representative's home page using the alphabetic list. The home page will have a "contact" link for fax numbers and other info.
Thank you all for your participation if this effort.
John P. Schmelzer
President
president@gag.org
Lisa Shaftel
Advocacy Chair
advocacy@gag.org
Patricia McKiernan
Administrative Director
admin@gag.org
Coalition on Orphan Works
Advertising Photographers of America
American Society of Media Photographers
Editorial Photographers
Graphic Artists Guild
National Press Photographers Association
Picture Archive Council of America
Professional Photographers of America
Stock Artists Alliance
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