One of DMLA's main missions is to "actively advocate copyright protection" on behalf of our members. DMLA has been leading this charge since 1951. However, with the growth of the Internet and the accompanying explosion in digitized visual content there is a greater need than ever before to educate and support copyright law.
While more visual media is needed to enhance the user experience, the ease in which media can be downloaded, distributed and used without permission is increasing. This, of course, is having a real impact on the licensing revenue of DMLA's members and the artists that they represent. The ability to continue to license imagery to users in an online environment remains vital to the economic survival of our industry.
DMLA's Counsel, Executive Director and Legal Committee work diligently to be at the forefront of the legal cases that affect our members and our industry. We have written and co-written dozens of amicus briefs in support of our members and copyright. We have also joined with other associations to support bills and other legislation that we believe best protects copyright. Recently we have been working with Congress on the CASE Act, HR #3945 which is currently in the House of Representatives. This bill will create a simplified tribunal within the U.S. Copyright Office to handle small copyright claims brought by creators and small businesses across the country, helping them to enforce their rights.
í(NOI) is a term adopted by the departments of the Federal Government primarily for fact gathering, a way to seek comments from the public or industry on a specific issue.
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aAn amicus brief comes from amicus curiae or "friend of the court". This is a court document filed by someone who is not directly related to the case under consideration. The most classic example of an amicus brief is a document filed by an advocacy group.
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nThe service acts in good faith with rights owners (clients) and claim recipients and in a professional and courteous manner that protects and respects the value of copyright while ensuring that claim recipients are treated fairly.
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As a service, DMLA members have compiled a list of properties and objects that may cause problems if shown photographically. Some of the properties and objects are alleged to be covered by trademark, others by contract (i.e. the terms by which a photographer was granted access to the property).
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