Commentary by A.E. Sabo | ©2008 A.E. Sabo

THE ORPHAN WORKS ROUNDTABLE AND WEBCAST / CONDUCTED BY THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION : How Will the Orphan Works Bill Economically Impact Small Entities 

Most artists associated with professional organizations were asked to take a few moments to draft a letter to the powers that be to give their two cents about a new bill that is to come to the attention of our legislature. Well, here be my two. Maybe that’s two cents more than its worth, but at least I gave it a shot. To all you artsy types, please do the same. Let us not become complacent in our actions to allow our artworks to be declared orphans, nor our artists livelihoods to be reduced to that of destitute widows.

Dear Board Members of the Small Business Administration,

I am a freelance cartoonist who specializes in the creation of custom works for a client base of small businesses and non profit organizations. I interpret this argument of ‘fair use of orphan artworks’ as detrimental to my industry. The very basis of this new methodology of copyright protection suggests that creative industries, as a whole, shall leave themselves vulnerable to have a certain percentage of their works possibly interpreted as ‘orphaned’ (provided that a simple criteria, which seems to lack clear and concise enforcement, is met.) These works in question shall now become ‘recyclable’ to the general public and may be exploited indefinitely, at possible great financial loss to their originators. To add to such vulnerability is a lacking standard of compensation for those who complied to the new system, yet still found their rights infringed upon. Shouldn’t works that are without means to assign credit towards, or to reward compensation to, be rendered as non viable? Perhaps works not listed in these suggested massive data vaults, proposed to be maintained by a loosely regulated private sector, should indicate the works in question are NOT usable for means of general public profit? What industry thrives economically when a rival, non perishable surplus becomes a factor? If all ‘orphaned’ art is granted status as a ‘viable’ commodity, it creates a new form of competition for the artist who normally seeks employment to fill the demand for needed works.

As an independent artist, I keep prices competitive in an increasingly global market by offering a variety of rights packages that accommodates one’s budget and individual needs. No smaller end client will feel justified to pay for the entitlement of full rights once its common issue that such rights are no longer as enforceable, or the damages rewarded in the event of violation aren’t worth seeking. The internet and its flux of content is basically uncontrollable. Very often, works are placed on the web, minus the creator’s consent by admirable bloggers and home based web users- unaware of the damage that may now transpire due to their actions. How can I, as an artist, retain economic stability with my work if there lies question if my copyright ownership is truly secure? Without that security, the value and future sale of the work will certainly be compromised. Also compromising the economic stability of my work will be the loss of income (due to non billable hours) for the requirement of keeping current (possible numerous) databases, paying possible upload and storage charges, and having to determine which art remains on the database and copyright secure, and which do not, based on my ability to pay.

Thank you for allowing me this platform to voice my concerns. 

Ann E. Sabo   

Snazzy letters need not apply: go to- http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/home/  to get involved. 

Time for a sneak peak at another little goodie from the 7-Dippity creative churning wheel: an eight page coloring/activity book that gets little folks acquainted with the grounds of a premier country club along our northeast coast. It stuffed full of games and lots of fun places for tiny fingers to scribble between the lines…(bite size samples shown here)

Not sure what Snook’s got brewin’, but since it’s minus a flame, my dad’s take is its being fueled by geo fusion (ain’t he a smarty?) Officer Snook swaps his trademark police chapeau for this puffy chefs number as he puts on the roll of creator of a more colorful ocean floor. Another successful 7-Dippity project now in the wraps and should be printing in it’s entirety very soon. Cup of coral reef, anyone?

A.E. Sabo | ©2008 7-Dippity | click on image to enlarge

Those folks at 7-Dippity keep me in the swim of things; their latest project is designed to keep little minds preoccupied while awaiting kid sized meals. It’s my first restaurant menu activity book for a fine seafood dinning establishment in the northeast. This inside spread snippet of the center action shows a shark speeding about the Atlantic along with his American oyster first mate. Only in the cartoon natural order of things can an life jacket sporting oyster be a quarter size of a half ton shark, but that’s nothing compared to the thirty ton right whale water skiing on the cover.

Commentary: Kentucky Derby 2008

She measured at seventeen hands of captivating power: steel speed adrenaline stealth in gun smoke gray. Without apology, she won our attentions, our wagers, and our respect. In a pulse thrusting two minute mile and a quarter, American racing had embraced its new queen. From the start, she proved worthy and by the finish, she prevailed heroic. And as quickly as we had come to love her, she tragically slipped away. Her heart stopped and ours mourned. She shall remain our timeless champion: forever young, eternally beautiful, a talent who’s promising greatness remained untested, and who’s brilliance faded premature.

Commentary by A.E. Sabo

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The Suwannee might be cresting high, but it won’t dampen the fun at the first ever Florida Hiking Festival in picturesque White Springs. A collaboration between designer (insert my name here) and FTA staffers came up with this years logo design- guaranteed to make you look spiffy in any size commemorative garment of purchase. Grab your hiking gear, take the photos, buy the t-shirt and be able to say “I was there in 2 OH 8!” http://www.floridahikingfestival.org/

OH MY MERCY! Have I missed y’all! This year has started off with a bang: new clients and projects, not to mention a return to studies at my old alma mater. Posted above is one of my new promotional pieces for 2008, coming to a mailbox near you. Thankee kindly for all your continuing web traffic support! I promise to begin to post here a little more then not at all…

If you played your cards right, old man Christmas will have left a few goodies under your tree, and although everyone is familiar with his usual modus operandi, most folks might not be aware how Santa maneuvers through the old Florida landscape. Best way to deliver Christmas joy is by foot. So grab your hiking stick and pop on your muddin’ boots and short pants: it’s easy to loose elves in the swamp and Santa could use a few good volunteers to help him keep on schedule.

Joyous Merry Christmas, Y’all!

More clip art from the Florida Trail Association collection. By the looks of that smile, I’m glad one of us got her holiday shopping done early….

(like I always say, ‘never be afraid of brightly neon wrapped packages: those glowing papers saves for a lot less toe stubbing when maneuvering through the dark night to find Santa’s gifts left under the living room tree…)