Hi there,
Isn't it funny how informal the web is? ie: "Hi
there" instead of Dear Sir or Madam.
I am a member the "Music Relief Association". a
group of MIDI & music lovers from all over the
Internet. At this point we are still small, but
growing as the word gets around.
We are trying to amend the copyright act to
address the unique character of "no profit
personal web pages". We believe they should be
included in the "fair use" section of the
copyright act.
Most personal web pages are made by people with
little or no experience with copyright laws and
are fair game for those who would use this for
their own gain. (example: Steven Kern aka TRYCHO
Music International and Audio Production
Midifiles) There has also been one graphic
artist who has followed Kern's example except he
does not use the court. He just emails people
with threats, demanding $18,000.
Free web page sites, such as your's, encourage
the first time webmaster to make these pages,
then must leave them to the wolves because of
the DMCA. Webmasters have no resources to be
able to fight so Mr Kern never has to proved his
charges. He just walks away with the money.
These webmasters use background music that is
offered free at collection sites not realizing
that the MIDIs belong to someone else, not the
collection site owner. Even if they learn how to
check for the copyright information, it is
usually gone. After 15 years of people trading
and reworking the MIDIs, no one knows for sure
who originiated these MIDI.
In addition to the MIDIs are the poems and
stories that proliferate through out email. The
author name is seldom included.
This is going to be serious problem for free
space websites like yours. As the word gets
around that people cannot use the MIDI, graphics
and poems safely, the pages will come down and
you will, basically, be out of business. The web
will be nothing more than a large university and
marketplace with more than just a sprinkling of
porn and hate sites.
We feel that we have an excellent chance of
accomplishing our goal because: 1 The personal
web site has not been addressed in the copyright
act. 2 Most no profit websites have the purpose
of only enhancing a joy of living, or giving
help to the sick and weary. 3 The effect on the
potential of monetary harm to the market or to
the owner is nill, as these pages would be taken
down if fees were required to keep them up.
We are in contact with a number of Senators and
Representatives and would appreciate your
support in this effort!
For more information see:
Music Relief Association
You may send questions or suggestions to:
David M. McLean
MRA Director
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