[Leica] Copyright Alert

[leowesson at charter.net (leo)]

Thanks Tina.

Leo

On Nov 8, 2004, at 7:11 PM, Tina Manley wrote:

> To the professionals on the list, this might help the beleaguered 
> photo profession a little, from Jack Reznicki and the Professional 
> Photographers of America:
>
> "Contact your Senators immediately
> and urge them to pass H.R. 2391, The Intellectual Property Protection
> Act of 2004.  Congress reconvenes on November 16 for a "lame duck"
> session-giving photographers one last chance at improving copyright
> law in 2004. You can contact your Senators (and get a sample e-mail)
> at http://capwiz.com/ppaworld/issues/alert/?alertid=6599801&type=CO
>
> The Intellectual Property Protection Act combines provisions from
> several bills that PPA has fought for during this Congress. Here are
> the provisions most applicable to the rights of professional
> photographers:
>
> -Infringers will no longer be able to use innocent errors in a
> copyright registration to have a case dismissed.
> -Department of Justice may elect to bring civil copyright suits
> against infringers - with damage awards going to the copyright owner
> as restitution.
> -Eliminates registration requirement for infringement actions by the
> U.S. Government
> -Allows courts to treat parts of a collective work as individual
> works for statutory damages purposes.
> -Creates a program to educate the public regarding the importance of
> intellectual property and the harms associated with infringement.
> -Authorizes at least $15 million for criminal copyright investigations 
> in 2005.
> -Makes it easier to prove damages in criminal prosecutions against
> online infringers
> -Allocates $2 million for better training of U.S. Attorney's Office
> personnel on intellectual property issues.
>
> Acting now is significant. When the new Congress begins in January,
> all unpassed legislation from 2003 and 2004 will be wiped out -
> leaving us to start the lobbying process all over again.
>
> Again, we urge you to your Senators in support of this legislation by 
> going to:
> http://capwiz.com/ppaworld/issues/alert/?alertid=6599801&type=CO
>
> As always, there is no guarantee that all - or any - of the bill
> provisions will be enacted into law. PPA will provide updates as this
> legislation progresses."
>
>
> Tina Manley, ASMP
>
> www.tinamanley.com
>
>
> http://www.pdiphotos.com
> http://www.workbookstock.com
> http://www.newscom.com
> http://www.americanphotojournalist.com
>
>
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