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January 14, 2006
14. Seen Better Days
f1.4 1/60 sec
This is a shot of a very well used piano, as was yesterday's. This, as with all of my photographs are copyrighted. I, like everyone else, want to protect my interests. I expect that if someone likes the work that I do and want to use it for themselves, that I will be compensated for that. I also feel that if someone commissions me to create a piece for them, that they should have rights to use that piece without further compensation to me beyond what was originally agreed upon.
As a photographer, this is a double edged sword. The photos that I take, that other people hang on their wall are a testament to my work. Because I am a stickler for quality with my work (ask my lab!) I know that when I present someone with one of my photos, they will be happy with it. Now if I give them the ability to reproduce their own work (which I believe that they should), I take the chance that it will not be of the same quality that I demand.
While I don't want to use this forum to express my political beliefs, I do have to object to something that is occurring right now in Canada.
The Liberal party of Canada introduced a bill last year (Bill C-60) that fortunately died on the floor when the house was dissolved on November 29. The bill was addressing copyright reform. I was against this bill and will continue to be so if the Liberal government is re-elected on January 23 and choose to bring forward the motion again, as they have pledged to do in their current Red Book Platform, Securing Canada's Success (p.64).
What is even worse though, is that Sam Bulte, the MP for Parkdale/High Park and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage as well as the Chair of the Interim Report on Copyright Reform has been financially supported through contributuions by high stakes players of the Canadian Media Industry. On January 19, a $250/plate fundraiser is being held for her hosted by several of these players. There is an obvious conflict in this type of lobbying.
Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair in Internet & E-commerce Law, University of Ottawa has proposed that all party leaders take a Copyright Pledge. In an all candidates meeting held on January 11, each of the candidates was asked if they would take the Copyright Pledge. Joey deVilla, aka Accordian Guy, has posted a video of her responses. They can be viewed at on his site.
As I said in the beginning of my post, I don't want this to be a political battleground. Just something I feel needs to be addressed. With that being said though, if you are in the Parkdale/High Park riding, I urge you to take a second look at the ballot before you vote. We need to make sure our government knows that we cannot have corporations buying laws in this manner.
Some links about copyright reform in Canada I had other, but neglected to save the file when asked...
Speaking out of Turn - Matthew Good
The Bulte Video - Michael Geist
Money in Politics, Conflicts for Copyright
Cory Doctorow's Boing Boing Post
...fundraiser for Liberal MP a 'worry'
Election Night In Canada - False Positives
Fading Ways Records Press Release
CopyrightWatch.ca
Michael Geist has also released his latest book, In The Public Interest: The Future of Canadian Copyright Law under a Canada Creative Commons License. It is a good read if you are interested in copyright reform.
Posted on January 14, 2006 10:36 AM | Permalink
Comments
Hi Chris:
I have installed a program yesterday from http://www.watermarkfactory.com/. I will not post any pictures on the Internet without "labelling" them. That way, there is no question that anyone copying your picture(s) are acting acting illegally.
Tomorrow, I am sending a registered letter to a company in order that I can be compensated for a piece of my work.
Refer to: http://www.ethanmeleg.com/ Evey photo has a copyright on it. (Inserted with Photoshop)
That's my two cents worth.
Martin Hau
TGH-TWH
Posted by: Martin Hau at January 15, 2006 2:10 PM
If you'd like further information with respect to what is being done about the growing problem of copyright and trademark infringement and the internet, visit http://www.wipo.int/portal/index.html.en
The World Intellectual Property Organization has been quite involved in developing new legislation to protect those who post items to the net. Check it out.
Posted by: Sarah at January 15, 2006 4:03 PM
