outrageous legislation (?)

Not the worst thing happening in the world by far, but all those other bad things are being covered ad nauseum by others so I try to stay out of it.

But THIS THING is news to me. Jabberee Janet sent me this info about Orphan Works Legislation. This legislation would force artists to register all artwork officially with the registration office, or that artwork would become "orphaned" and public domain. Currently the mere act of publishing your work under your name creates copyright ownership.

But is it true?

In the comments section, Donna Barr sums up why stuff like this is such an enormous pain in the ass to artists:

"Artists don't have apathy -- artists don't have TIME!"

Immediately under Donna's comment is this Thomas C guy:

"I read this and did some google-fu and the best I can tell, this bill died in the house in September, 2006.

"Am I missing something? If so, please update this article with the house bill number, or what bill it's attached to!

I'm not going to write a letter to my respective political clown if there isn't actually a bill in the house. That would make me crazier than they are.

Publish the facts, please."

I'm like Donna. I don't have time right now to dig deep. But I'll try. If I find any more info I'll post it here. If YOU find any more info, please share. I don't want to have to register (and PAY THE FEE for) everything I currently own.

FOLLOW-UP to above info: I just realized, asking people to respond here is stupid when I can go read all the comments there. I guess I trust you guys more, but apparently there are two schools of thought on this matter and that would just be reflected in any group of people. I'm going with the tempest-in-a-teapot school until somebody can turn up evidence that this legislation is actually on the table in the Halls of Congress.