US creatives affirm core copyright principles
March 11, 2015
By Colin Mann
As the 114th Congress continues its review of copyright law, US creative industry trade bodies the Copyright Alliance and CreativeFuture have joined forces in sending letters to Congress affirming core copyright principles held by the creative community.
Over 1,200 members of the Copyright Alliance and over 350 members of CreativeFuture signed the letters, demonstrating broad support among creatives for a strong copyright system. Signatories include members of the film and television, book publishing, and music communities, leaders of creative unions and guilds, photographers, graphic designers, authors, musicians and more.
Speaking for creatives, the letters articulate the complementary relationship between a strong copyright system, free expression, creativity, innovation, and technology. The creatives affirmed:
- We embrace the Internet as a powerful democratising force for our world and for creative industries.
- We embrace a strong copyright system that rewards creativity and promotes a healthy creative economy.
- Creatives must be part of the conversation and stand up for creativity.
- We proudly assert that copyright promotes and protects free speech.
- Copyright should protect creatives from those who would use the Internet to undermine creativity.
The letters conclude by stating:
“There is no ‘left’ or ‘right’ when it comes to respecting copyright. The creative community stands united in support of a copyright system that has made and continues to make the United States the global leader in the creative arts and the global paradigm for free expression. Our copyright system is not perfect but, like democracy, it is better than the alternatives. It works. We urge Congress to resist attempts to erode the right of creatives to determine when and how they share their works in the global marketplace.”