On 7/24/2015 11:59 AM, Steven K. Bowers wrote:
Michigan rep on the Joint Committee for the Librarian of Congress. Let them know what you think!
Actually it's Congresswoman Candice Miller and she chairs the Committee on House Administration which will consider this and the possible splitting off of the Copyright Office. Unfortunately House emails only accept emails from constituents in their own district. I had to contact my Representative and request he share his views with her. I included the EFF article, https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/07/copyright-office-belongs-library , explaining why the separation of the Copyright Office works against the public interest and Public Domain. Its a touchy issue with me as Sonny Bono's legislation changed 20th Century Public Domain and its intent was more to keep Mickey Mouse out of P.D. than P.D.'s intent to maintain our cultural heritage. (Stating it moved us in line with international copyright overlooks the litigious nature of U.S. publishing compared to other countries.) For something more pleasant, read occasional P.D. stories within my weekly blog, <http://www.storytellingresearchlois.com/> , as the segment, "Keeping the Public in Public Domain", is often featured there. I include this statement: This is part of a series of postings of stories under the category, "Keeping the Public in Public Domain." The idea behind Public Domain was to preserve our cultural heritage after the authors and their immediate heirs were compensated. I feel strongly current copyright law delays this intent on works of the 20th century. My own library of folklore includes so many books within the Public Domain I decided to share stories from them. I hope you enjoy discovering new stories. LoiS(tepping off my soapbox before I get the rant rolling) -- Lois Sprengnether Keel Website:<http://www.LoiS-sez.com>, Blog:<http://www.StorytellingResearchLoiS.com>, and posting newspaper accounts of Michigan's "Fighting Fifth" Civil War Infantry at<http://mich5thinfantry.net> * Storyteller in MI Arts and Humanities Directory * In Historical Society of Michigan Directory <http://www.hsmichigan.org/resources/storytellers- speakers-musicians/storyteller- lois-sprengnether-keel/> * State Liaison for National Storytelling Network * Webmaster for<http://www.MichiganStorytelling.org>