The UK Government has passed the Enterprise Regulatory Reform Bill. This effectively allows anyone to use images without payment to the rightful owner – if they attempt a “diligent search”. This totally shifts the power in protecting copyright away from individual photographers.
In a letter written by renowned UK photographer David Bailey to the Chancellor of the Exchequer denounces the move. You can read it in full on the British Press Photographers’ Association blog.
Orphan Works has been looming for a long time in many countries. It’s only a matter of time before more governments attempt to legislate their own Orphan Works bill. More than ever it’s essential to include your copyright and contact information in every image’s metadata. Meta what?