The hours leading up to and during yesterday’s blackout of websites in the name of protesting anti-piracy legislation prompted a flurry of coverage, more stark claims about the impending death of the Internet, and knee-jerk reactions to the outcry. Much like waking up with a bad hangover, however, the morning after may provide a moment [...]

Artists, songwriters, publishers and other representing America’s gospel and country music communities today are writing Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to urge support for the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). The letter is yet another example of the diversity of artists and small businesses impacted by rogue web sites trafficking in pirated and [...]

In the midst of the debate over bills intended to preserve jobs in the creative sector, like the Stop Online Piracy Act and the PROTECT IP Act, it is easy to focus purely on the economic contributions and significance of the creative community.   But that misses the bigger picture. Artists and creators are storytellers first [...]

This week the Copyright Alliance is presenting an educational exhibit in the U.S. Senate Russell Building Rotunda in Washington, DC to showcase the work of American photographers and the importance of copyright protection to their livelihood. Recording Our History: Faces Behind the Camera features the work and stories of 11 photographers. Images range from historic [...]

Joao Silva has been telling stories of war and conflict through his photography for decades. Now, he is shedding light on photographers and their role in times of conflict by talking about his own professional experiences, recent personal tragedy, and recovery. A New York Times photographer, Mr. Silva lost both his legs last October to [...]

I met The Beatles before I knew who they were.  It was the early ’70s and I distinctly remember hearing “Yellow Submarine” on the radio as my father drove me to the nursery school at the college where he taught.  While I knew nothing about the iconic band, and was too young even for the [...]

Last week the Copyright Alliance was privileged to host three renowned photographers for a discussion on Capitol Hill about the work that happens behind the scenes to create memorable images. Inherent to their stories is the role copyright plays in helping photographers make a living, and promote various social aims by licensing images. Each artist [...]

Social activist, social documentarian, professional historian, voyeur – all self-descriptive terms offered by some of photography’s best at an extraordinary discussion on Capitol Hill today. Recording Our History: Faces Behind the Camera featured civil rights era photographer Matt Herron; famed wedding and Kennedy family photographer Denis Reggie; and John Harrington, past President, White House News [...]

A recent report focuses on the connection between the importance of property rights and economic well-being of countries around the world. The study shows that countries that have high rates of property rights protection (both intellectual and physical property rights) tend to have higher GDP growth as well as higher income per capita. Another recent [...]

Richard E. Wagner, a Professor of Economics at George Mason University, writes a memorable and meaningful introduction to the Property Rights Alliance’s annual report released today analyzing intellectual and physical property rights in 129 countries. “If you go to Google Images and type in ‘Korean Peninsula at night,’ you will see a variety of satellite [...]