Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/03/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]There were times in the past where I was working for a non-profit organization, but that was due to laziness ;-) If this bill has the sort of lobbying it will need to pass, its being backed by big money and therefore there must be a sting in the tail. Images are BIG BIG business, and big business does not think that anyone other than the buisness people should make money. We have seen this in RAdiology: business "types" have vocalized their almost distain for anyone trying to run any form of workplace that does not include a big fat CEO paypacket. There is no doubt in my mind that a new economic model is needed. Capitalism is not perfect in any way shape or form, and its reliance on commercialism and increased turnover is not going to sit with any attempt to reverse global warming etc. Sadly, I think it will be come harder and harder to differentiate yourself as a photographer without luck or a big gimmick. Its too easy now to take and distribute images, which means business will search out those willing to work for less or nothing: they do not really have any reason to support "artistic" work. Enough of a rant, but that's one reason I won't give up my work, or covert my hobby in to a job even though I would love to. Cheers and heres' luck Alastair --- jshul@comcast.net wrote: From: "Jim Shulman" <jshul@comcast.net> To: "'Leica Users Group'" <lug@leica-users.org> Subject: RE: [Leica] Adobe rights grab????? Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 22:37:43 -0400 And I think that the whole non-profit aspect of the bill is a giant canard. Non-profit organizations are an industry employing millions. Three years ago their number exceeded 1 million for the first time; growth of this industry is about 5% a year (according to the Assn. of Fundraising Professionals and Philanthropy magazine.) In the Philadelphia metro area alone there are more than 14,000 registered 501 c 3s. Non-profit does NOT always mean a struggling, mom-and-pop venture--though in the public's mind that might a common conception. Anyone who listens to a public broadcasting pledge drive or receives some other non-profit solicitation mailing are sometimes led to believe that the organization is on the brink of extinction, if not for that one last all-important gift. Folks, that is a crock. As the head of a local non-profit organization (whose salary last year topped $500,000) once told me, the only difference between his large organization and a for-profit business is the tax forms used. He still has payroll issues, income issues, and personnel issues as with any other company. While there might be considerable public affection for his organization, in most regards it's still a business. For a different example, Harvard University is a non-profit organization. In today's news it was noted that Harvard just hired a new manager for their $34+ Billion endowment fund. Harvard's wealth would certainly indicate that IP photo rights payments would hardly represent a major hardship, yet under the proposed legislation they would have the same exemption privileges as a two-person 501 (c) (3). Jim Shulman Bryn Mawr, PA Who works with a non-profit organization that recently wasted three days (and FINALLY succeeded) paying for the licensing rights to the Rachmaninoff Second Symphony. -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Tina Manley Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:14 PM To: Leica Users Group Subject: Re: [Leica] Adobe rights grab????? At 10:04 PM 3/27/2008, you wrote: >More on this topic at >http://rising.blackstar.com/royalty-free-orphans-why-the-current-distributi o >n-system-doesnt-work-2.html > >Jim Shulman >Bryn Mawr, PA Jim - Great article http://tinyurl.com/yotgts I agree totally and have never and would never sell RF. I'm afraid it's too late, though. The horse is out of the barn. Tina _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information