Current featured topics include:
Orphan Works 2008
Orphan Works is back. In April 2008, new versions of the Orphan Works Act of 2008 were introduced by both Houses of U.S. Congress. Read SAA's commentary and updates. ...more
SAA Photo Metadata Project
If you create, distribute or use digital images, you need metadata. SAA was awarded a Partnership by the U.S. Library of Congress to investigate current metadata practices, to educate, and to promote consistent use and preservation of standardized metadata in all digital images. ...more
PLUS Packs™ and SAA's Calculator
PLUS Packs™ are a new universal standard for a streamlined and simplified form of Rights Managed licensing. SAA's open source Calculator brings PLUS Packs™ to life, enabling selection and pricing of a Pack with just a few clicks, all on one screen. ...more
The Stock Asylum
SAA members have access to a five year archive of incisive industry reporting and analysis from The Stock Asylum, a respected industry newsletter that recently ceased publication and donated its archives to SAA. Selected articles are available as an open resource to registered users. ...more
Register now to access all of SAA's Open Resources
Infringements of Stock Images
and Lost Revenues
This 2007 white paper report addresses one of the stock industry’s most serious issues. It reports on findings of the landmark investigative study conducted by SAA using PicScout’s advanced visual-search technology to track 20,000 images from the leading stock distributors. It uncovered a high rate of misuse. This report presents detailed results and offers insights into the critical issue of infringements of digital images. It summarizes what is being done now, and it provides action steps for photographers and stock distributors to take.
Read the Report
Straight Talk
on Stock Licensing Models
Adapted from the orginal SAA White Paper: Understanding Stock Licensing Models, and published in 2005, this report explains the fundamental differences between Rights Managed and Royalty Free licensing models. While industry dynamics have continued to evolve, and new variations of these licensing models have been introduced since then, the points made are still relevant today.
Read the Report
A Metadata Manifesto
While the digital age provides conveniences and automation, it increases substantially the risk of losing tracking information. SAA’s 2006 “Metadata Manifesto” presents a set of principles for the use and preservation of embedded image metadata. It urges the industry to put them into practice, offering specific action steps.
Read the Manifesto
A Brief History of Orphan Works
It started in January 2006 when the U.S. Copyright Office presented their Report to Congress. ...more
Why Visual Works are Vulnerable to being Orphaned
Orphan Works legislation comes at a time when there is already daunting
pressure on artists, as copyright holders, to protect their
intellectual property due to the digitization and online distribution
of their images. ...more
Moving Toward an Orphan Works Bill that Better Protects our Copyrights
Several new elements seek to minimize the potential abuse of Orphan
Works exemptions but they fall short of addressing the issues this
legislation creates. ...more
SAA Recommendations to Congress
SAA urges Congress to consider these specific recommendations. ...more
Resources & Links
Other resources help to further explain the issues and offer a range of perspectives. ...more
Making your Voice Heard
Orphan Works legislation will impact all artists worldwide, directly or
indirectly, so regardless of where you live, you should communicate
your concern. SAA and other associations have posted resources to help make your voice heard. ...more
November 2008
Despite some last minute pushes to move the Bill forward, the congressional term ended with no Orphan Works legislation passed. This is not the end, as we fully expect Orphan Works to reappear in the near future.
September 27, 2008
Yesterday, the visual arts community was buzzing with news that the Senate was "hot lining" their Orphan Works Bill (S2913) for a vote that day, and that the House was expected to follow suit. Artists trade associations, including SAA, hurried to urge our members to call or email their Senators and Representatives right away and we have no doubt that the response from artists was once again strong.
We've now learned that the Senate bill was passed. It is troubling indeed that this legislation was pushed through in this manner, the last day of the Congressional term. As our colleagues at the Advertising Photographers of America (APA) have declared, in their email alert: "Passing controversial legislation by this process, i.e. under the radar, is deeply troubling to say the least and every Senator needs to be held accountable."
We now need to turn our attention to the House. Contact your Representative and urge them to stop the House Judiciary Committee from folding their own bill (HR5889) and moving to adopt the Senate version.
July 18, 2008
In April, three leading artists advocacy groups prsented a set of Amendments to the Congressional committees who are drafting Orpahan Works bills that, if adopted, would greatly improve this legislation. Since then, many fellow associastions have writen to Congress to endorse these Amendments. Read the Amendments here
July 16, 2008
A growing chorus of concern, even outrage, about the current Orphan Works legislation demonstrates the importance of this issue for most photographers and other visual artists.
Meantime, representatives from organizations that include the largest share of U.S. advertising, editorial and stock photographers have been meeting with members of Congress and key staff. Their discussions have focused on seeking solutions for the problems of unidentified creative works and missing creators, while preserving constitutional protections for intellectual property.
SAA, along with the Advertising Photographers of America (APA), the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) and Editorial Photographers (EP) have all stated we cannot support the Orphan Works bills in their current form. Together, these groups represent more professional media photographers than other U.S. organizations.
In recent months, representatives from APA and NPPA have met with members of Congress and legislative staff to express their concerns regarding Orphan Works bills S2913 and HR5889. The photographers' representatives offered potential solutions for limiting the legislation to works that are truly "orphaned," for non-commercial use by the cultural heritage sector - particularly non-profit libraries, museums and archives.
The associations stressed the legislation must not violate international trade agreements or cause harm to existing commercial markets. Also, a well-crafted bill can and should maintain the rights of working artists as they exist under current copyright law.
International photographer groups have also expressed their opposition to the orphan works legislation in its current form. Among those groups are the UK's Association of Photographers (AOP), FreeLens, Union des Photographes Créateurs (UPC), and the Canadian Association of Photographers and Illustrators in Communications (CAPIC).
Very vocal in their opposition are groups collectively representing more than a quarter-million visual artists and other creators, including leading associations in North America and Europe. More than 60 groups have endorsed an online resource, created by the Illustrator's Partnership, that facilitates sending opposition messages to Congress. These groups comprise a broad community of creators, including illustrators, fine artists, graphic artists, digital artists, cartoonists and musicians. To date, more than 100,000 artists have used this resource to contact their senators, representatives and Judiciary Committee members.
This coalition of artists groups agrees Orphan Works legislation must be narrowly crafted to serve the needs of the cultural heritage users for whom it was originally conceived - giving them access to truly orphaned works - while protecting the copyrights and livelihoods of artists.
May 1, 2008
Orphan Works is back. Last month, the U.S. Congress held Hearings, making clear that the wheels were again in motion. Last week, it became official when new versions of the Orphan Works Act of 2008 were introduced by both the House and Senate.
SAA has published this document to provide an information resource for artists and other members of the visual arts community who will be affected by this legislation, sharing our perspective as the only association dedicated to the interests of professional photographers involved in stock image licensing.
We also seek to provide constructive input to the Congressional committees who are developing this legislation. We believe that there is an opportunity to build on the new ideas put forth by its drafters, in a way that balances the needs of the users whom they are trying to serve with the interests of the copyright holders whom they must continue to protect.
Otherwise, we again risk passage of legislation that will threaten copyright protections and the livelihoods of independent creators.
Following are summaries and links to each section:
A Brief History of Orphan Works
It started in January 2006 when the U.S. Copyright Office presented their Report to Congress. ...more
Why Visual Works are Vulnerable to being Orphaned
Orphan Works legislation comes at a time when there is already daunting pressure on artists, as copyright holders, to protect their intellectual property due to the digitization and online distribution of their images. ...more
Moving Toward an Orphan Works Bill that Better Protects our Copyrights
Several new elements seek to minimize the potential abuse of Orphan Works exemptions but they fall short of addressing the issues this legislation creates. ...more
SAA Recommendations to Congress
SAA urges Congress to consider these specific recommendations. ...more
Resources & Links
Other resources help to further explain the issues and offer a range of perspectives. ...more
