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Stop Legalised
Theft of Copyrighted Works!
THE Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, or
ERR as it is also known, has completed its passage through
parliament on 24 April 2013, and incorporated are a host of new
measures which the Government is pushing through. This new
legislation is on the cards, which many consider would have many
unconsidered, negative consequences. Part of the new changes which
are included in the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act, is a
package of measures which removes the rights of many to apply
copyright to their work, according to many artists, photographers
and even the public as a whole! The Campaign group
Stop43, which represents a wide
range of image creators along with the Association of Illustrators
and Individual Artists, (AOI)
have branded the act as:- "premature, ill thought-out and
constitutionally improper." They add that effectively the
act, dubbed the 'Instagram Act', if allowed to pass,
would mean the UK, for the first time, would permit the widespread
commercial exploitation of unidentified work. After coming in to
force, this act, if not suitably amended, would require the users of
any image, from whatever source, only to perform a 'diligent
search', and since that would be likely to come up with a blank,
they could proceed with impunity and use it for whatever they
wanted. This could be your holiday photo or whatever! Such images
would be treated as "orphan works" and could then be
freely used for any commercial or non-commercial use, and by any
other users who might then wish to use it..! The music industry and
film industry have got very strong support for anti-copyright theft,
but oddly the most influential and important part of everyday life
are still images, be that graphics, artwork or photographs. No
matter what you do, images are all round, yet the industry is the
least regulated and hardest to get any type of compensation from,
should you find your work being misused! Sadly, the UK has been
blind to copyright for many years and the damage it is causing is
ever apparent. The ill thought out wording of this fledgling act
will not only damage photographers, artists, graphic designers and
countless others who depend on selling their work, but also will
have a major effect on designers, models and other related groups!
Plus, the most worrying thing for the public is that, even as
putting images on Facebook can be a bit dodgy at the best of times,
with this new law, your personal snaps, say from a holiday, of you
out partying, or even of your family home, might be used for an
advert, there would be no way of getting any compensation! In
effect, if you did not want to run the risk of having your personal
or business photos used, you would not post on any website; if you
did and your images fell into the wrong hands, there would be no
redress! If you live in the UK, please sign this e-petition and help
save the jobs of many photographers and artists. It will also stop
advert companies from using your photos, taken by you on holiday or
of your family, without your consent! This is more than just an
attack on jobs! Please take a look at the direct.gov.uk's e-Petition
and sign it! It makes sense to support the industry which is already
in difficulties, yet is one of the most important parts of modern
life! We urge everyone to sign it... To sign go to:-
e-Petition.
Formby church has amazing start
for re-opening of the Lifeboat Tea Room
AFTER being closed for the winter months, St
Luke’s Church on St Luke's Church Rd. Formby re-opened its Lifeboat
Tea Room, over 3 May to 6 May, for the Bank Holiday crowds who were
heading to the beach. The Tea Rooms are named in recognition of the
first Lifeboat Station in the world that was sited down the adjacent
road, on Formby Point. This volunteer run Tea Room proved an amazing
hit, making record sales of sandwiches, cakes and other
refreshments. Located within the Meeting Room adjacent to the
historic church, many of the visitors to the area, and even local
dog walkers took advantage of the atmosphere and weather, sitting
outside within the church grounds and woodland. Inside the church
were displays from local charities and organisations. If you are
planning a trip to Formby Point, the church group will be selling
freshly made sandwiches, soup, cakes and beverages every Friday, and
Saturday, and on Bank Holiday Mondays, 11am - 4pm through to 31
August 2013. For more information about the church and also the Tea
Room visit:-
stlukes.merseyside.org.
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Formby church
has amazing start for re-opening of the Lifeboat Tea Room
...Written report other column
below...
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