] The copyright office is currently considering whether to ] recommend changes to copyright law that will make it ] easier and cheaper for you to use "orphaned works" -- ] works that remain under copyright but whose "owner" can't ] be found. As many of you have written me, this is a real ] problem that affects thousands of innovative people every ] year. But the copyright office still needs some ] convincing. ] ] To convince them, we need your help. If you have a ] relevant story, or a perspective that might help the ] Copyright Office evaluate this issue, I would be grateful ] if you took just a few minutes to write an email telling ] them your story. The most valuable submissions will make ] clear the practical burden the existing system creates. ] (One of my favorite stories is about a copy-shop's ] refusal to enlarge a 60 year old photo from an elementary ] school year book for a eulogy because the copyright owner ] couldn't be found.) Describe instances where you wanted ] to use a work, but couldn't find the owner to ask ] permission. Explain how that impacted your ability to ] create. Or pass this email on to someone who you know ] might have a useful story to add. |