01/09/10 - Marvel Comics (Disney) Sues Jack Kirby Heirs

Marvel Comics is suing the heirs of comic legend Jack Kirby. The heirs had sent Marvel numerous copyright termination notices that stated many of their most profitable comic properties would revert to the estate starting in 2014!

Marvel contends that these characters were created as "work for hire" and that the heirs claims are baseless. What do you think? Is this fair and only a company protecting it's legal property or is the "Mouse" flexing it's legal muscles?

Here's a link to the January 8th NY Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/09/arts/09arts-MARVELSUESFA_BRF.html?scp=1&sq=Kirby%20Heirs&st=cse

09/28/08 - Band Together STOP HR5889 Orphan Works Act - Congress has let us down!!

To all my Artist Friends,

Recent Development (fact checked see below):

Please read this Sunday 9/28/08 (today) post by Brad Holland of the Illustrators Partnership:

http://ipaorphanworks.blogspot.com/2008/09/orphan-works-devils-own-day.html

I trust this site and it sound like some nasty tomfoolery has allowed this bill to pass the US Senate. Yes, Gladys this is real.

PLEASE ACT NOW TO STOP THIS BILL IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!!

Or else our livelihoods as visual artists will be greatly reduced (more overhead to register with private registries ($50 per registration) for a right we have now for FREE) and imperiled (no damages for COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT - no lawyer will ever take your case on commission)!!

OK here is DUE DILIGENCE - I have fact checked and it looks REAL! Links from govtrack.org a project to track congress"

Here is a link to the Senate bill (S2913) showing passage on 9/26/08: (Yes Sen McConnell (KY) has let us down AGAIN!!)
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-2913


Here is a link to the House bill (HR5889) which can still be stopped: (Will Rep. Chandler (KY) step up?)
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-5889

--
Jonathan Gilpin
Coordinator
Lexington KY Comic Creators Group
web: http://lexkyccg.blogspot.com
email: lexkyccg@gmail.com