As you’ll notice here on ExposingFashion.com, I’m opposed to the Orphan Works Act in its past and present forms in both the House and Senate. I write pretty regularly to those that represent me in both the U.S. House and Senate. Until this week, in the year or so since I’ve been actively contacting them, I hadn’t received a single reply or acknowledgement. Well, I finally received one from Senator Charles Schumer. Though I’m sure this was a form letter and he really hasn’t really taken a position on the Orphan Works Act, it probably means his offices are looking into it.

Here’s the email I received:

Dear Mr. Reed:

Thank you for contacting me to express your views regarding the Shawn Bentley Orphan Works Act of 2008, S.2913. I share your support for strong intellectual property rights protections that reward creativity and entrepreneurship.

Like you, I believe that protecting intellectual property is one of the best ways to promote innovation. Indeed, intellectual property laws are what allow artists to earn a living while contributing to America’s vibrant culture. The Shawn Bentley Orphan Works Act was introduced to address concerns expressed by the U.S. Copyright Office that it is sometimes extremely difficult to track down the original copyright holder of a work of art. This is a particularly important problem for museums or other non-profit educational institutions, who want the ability to share such “orphan” works of art. At the same time, in addressing this problem it is vital that we continue to protect both incentives for innovation and the means of livelihood of millions of New York artists.

The Orphan Works Act is currently being carefully considered by the Senate. Members of my staff have met with representatives of artists and small business owners who have expressed many of the same concerns you mentioned. I will continue to closely study developments on this bill and I will work with both my Senate colleagues and the New York artist community to ensure that any bill that is ultimately passed appropriately balances these competing concerns.

Thank you for contacting me about this important issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can ever be of assistance to you on this, or any other matter.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator

Mr. Schumer: Thank you for the courtesy of a response!

About the author

Kevin Michael Reed
Kevin Michael Reed (Google+, Facebook) is a fashion & beauty photographer and producer/director based in New York City and Los Angeles, CA. He is the President/CEO of RedFOG Visual Media, a production company in New York City, and a partner in Passion of Photography, Inc, a company dedicated to teaching photographers and sharing our passion through charitable causes. Kevin has lectured and hosted workshops throughout the United States and the world teaching photographers the business and creative sides of photography. (Kevin's Fashion & Beauty Photography Portfolio can be seen here).

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