I usually don't c/p, but this is the matter of every single artist, designer and photographer. I've noticed numerous of journals writing about this stuff. So, here I go:

What are 'Orphan Works'?

As described in a 2005 report that the Copyright Office prepared for Congress, an "orphan work" is a work (such as an image) that is protected by copyright but whose copyright owner cannot be identified and located. It is clear that such a situation harms both creators and users. However, the remedy that was proposed to the 2006 Congress was needlessly unfair to creators, leading ASMP and many other groups to seek changes when the bill was introduced.

ASMP lobbied the issue all year long, presenting our case to Congressional staffers, testifying before the House and Senate committees and, at one point, asking our members to fax letters to their elected representatives. ASMP also helped form a coalition of creator associations (including overseas groups) to press for amendments to the House and Senate bills.

The 2006 bills died in committee. But even then, it was clear that the issue would be raised anew in the next Congress. The forces in American culture that want easier access to copyrighted material have not been stopped, merely delayed.

On first impression of article here:[link]
and audio interview here: [link] I thought that it's only word about U.S.A., but after reading article where is even Europe mentioned, I've highly became aware of the problem here.

If this Orphan Works Bill becomes legal, this will automaticly allow various thefts to use our artwork, imagination, and our CREATIVITY for FREE >:[


There is an online petititon running which you can sign here: [link]
Spread, write in your journals, c/p, everything. Every artist must be aware of this. Maybe for now it's only in U.S.A., but we all know how America is affecting whole world.