Make Your Voice Heard!

[Bekka]

This will be my last appeal to the people on this board.  Most of you come here seeking information because you have been on the receiving end of a "demand letter."  This forum contains lots of information for those that come here in shock and disbelief.  While the letters you received are perfectly legal under the current US laws, that doesn't mean that it is ethical or right that the law is being abused by the stock photo industry to make a very profitable stream of income at the little guy's expense, especially in our current economic climate.  While I believe that the photographer is entitled to compensation for his/her work, there should be exceptions for "innocent infringers," even if it means a reasonable flat fee along with a "cease and desist" letter.  However, the amounts demanded in these claim letters are outrageous and this is the issue at hand that needs to be addressed.

We may not have the money or the access to our congressional leaders like the lobbyists do, but that doesn't mean that there is not strength and power in numbers.  The mainstream media will not take on this issue, so the only way to get attention is to make this issue public.  We have a chance to do that on the White House's own website.  Once publicly displayed there, other people affected or not by this issue will have access to this information and can protect themselves and jump on our bandwagon to demand change.  I am not so naive to believe that this one petition or any recognition from it will make a change immediately, but it will bring it to the public's attention and the political leaders will be made aware of it as well.  It will only take 150 signatures to get it on public display, so even if we don't get the 5000 signatures needed to guarantee a fair look at the issue and a response, at least it will be a known issue.

So don't be afraid to stand up and be counted. I have an open case going on right now and I am not afraid to put my name out there or tell the stock photo company in question how I feel.  So stand up and be counted.  Sign it today.  Then have your friends and family sign it as well.  Remember, if we do nothing, then nothing will happen, but if we take action then there will be a reaction.

Here is the link:
 
http://wh.gov/gJu

Thanks,
Bekka

[Jerry Witt (mcfilms)]

Well the number of signatures has increased a little, but I can relate. People will complain bitterly on forums. But ask them to get politically involved by calling their congress person or, heck, signing a petition and 9 times out of ten it's just not going to happen.

[Robert Krausankas (BuddhaPi)]

Thank you Bekka for putting this out there, and very well stated. I will do my part to promote this daily in other arenas as i totally agree it will help to further the cause just by making it more public.

[Bekka]

We had a chance to get this into the public's eye, but without 150 signatures, it won't even get on the the White House's website.  I am amazed that a saving a fictional princess in a fictional land can garner 5000+ signatures, but we can only get 63 for the atrocities being committed against hard working people.  I have run out of family and friends.......It is up to you guys now.

http://wh.gov/gJu

[phxsunbum]

What about utilizing change.org to initiate a petition to stop Getty's practice and amend the copyright law to recognize unintentional infringement?  Just a thought, but Change.org has a huge base and if people realized that they could get a similar letter because the posted an image on their family web site, personal blog, etc, it may encourage some action.

Think Matthew or Oscar would help with the wording?

[Crying-out-Loud]

I signed the petition - and urge others doing so as well. Use social networking to get the word out so that if someone searches for Getty Images finds more of these stories. Get people involved to sign the petition and contact your state legislators to take action as well.

Copyright infringement is bad, but if done as innocent bystander, there should be a good business practice to ask first and not ask & shoot at the same time. Bad for business. 

[Oscar Michelen]

I will talk to Matt about the change.org idea and also about maybe getting the Electronic Frontier Foundation involved as well.