Conyers Bill --
The Freelance Writers and Artist Protection Act: UPDATE Tamara Shannon
One of the most significant challenges to our industry came in 2002, in the form of the Conyers Bill, ostensibly drafted to protect artists and freelance writers from corporations encroaching on their rights. While the bill did correctly identify a problem freelancers face in securing fair compensation, and maintaining copyrights over their material, the bill would have effectively signed over these rights to an outside labor union with no guarantees of material gain from the arrangement. Rather, it was becoming increasingly clear that it was primarily the unions and corporations that stood to gain, and the rights of the freelancers would be significantly undermined.
For these reasons Shannon Associates, together with many established organizations in our field, were very active in voicing our concerns and opposition to this proposed bill.
As you may know, the Conyers Bill was effectively defeated in congress. While this is a significant victory for all those who seek the welfare of freelancers and the art industry, we recognize that the future will bring others who attempt to organize this industry for their own gain. It is important that we who know and love this industry stand ready to defend ourselves and speak out for our interests with a unified voice.
