Copyright Law May be Changed

[24T42]

There is a Bill in consideration in the Congress that will change the copy right laws.

On April 24, Senators Pat Leahy (D-VT) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA), John Conyers (D-MI) and Lamar Smith (R-TX) introduced legislation (S.2913, HR 5889), which is now being referred to as the Shawn Bentley Orphan Works Act of 2008. It is virtually the same bill that was presented in 2006, and subsequently rejected by Congress.

This bill limits the remedies in a civil action brought for infringement of copyright in an orphan work. It amends Chapter 5 of title 17, United States Code, (Copyright law) by adding "§ 514. Limitation on remedies in cases involving orphan works."

Section 514 is the new limitation on remedies which the Orphan Works Act will impose on any copyrighted work wherever the infringer can successfully claim an orphan works defense, whether legitimate or adjudicated by courts to be conclusive.

To see the status and read the proposed bill, go to

HB 5889 - Orphan Works Act of 2008

You can also google US HB 5889 and you will see many arguments, both and against this bill.

Thought you might want to know.