News and Announcements

Google Asks Court to Rule Against ASMP

Google has filed court documents challenging the standing of ASMP and the other associations as plaintiffs in the 2010 class action copyright infringement lawsuit filed over Google’s unauthorized and massive scanning of library books and its related actions. Google argues that because of the requirements of copyright claims, plaintiffs must be actual rightsholders rather than associations acting on their behalf. It has also challenged the standing of the Authors Guild in its related lawsuit filed against Google in 2005. ASMP General Counsel Victor Perlman notes, “The class action copyright infringement suit against Google, Inc. was filed in conjunction with other trade associations and with individual named plaintiffs. Therefore, regardless of the ruling on the standing of trade associations, the status of the individual plaintiffs and their ability to proceed with the lawsuit will not be affected.” ASMP plans to file a legal brief in response and will keep members updated.

ASMP to Participate in NAB Show

ASMP will be an active participant in this year’s NAB Show® to be held April 14 -19 in Las Vegas. ASMP is the only photography trade organization to be part of this event by hosting a booth, providing discounted access for members, and delivering training sessions within the post/production world. NAB Show is the world’s largest event covering the development, management and delivery of content across all mediums. With more than 90,000 attendees from 151 countries and 1,500+ exhibitors, NAB Show is the ultimate marketplace for digital media and entertainment. ASMP members will be able to attend exhibits for FREE ($150 value) and get other benefits to be announced. Look for more information in February’s newsletter, and in the meantime, find out about the show here.

2012 Elections Coming Up

ASMP Election season has begun with 11 candidates declaring their intention to run for 5 available seats on the ASMP National Board of Directors. The Board is comprised of 15 General Members who are elected for three-year terms. Term limits prohibit Board Members from serving more than two terms in a row and this year, there are 3 incumbents running along with 8 others. Each candidate has provided a statement and will answer questions submitted by ASMP voting members. Voting begins next month online so make your voice heard by staying informed about the candidates and issues. And, most importantly, if you are a General Member, plan to vote between February 15 and March 15! Find out more here.

CameraCake.com Invites You to Find. Share. Follow.

ASMP’s resource sharing site, CameraCake.com, is the place to find resources submitted, approved and reviewed by people you trust. Looking to gain insights into building and marketing your business? Check out CameraCake’s most popular resource: PhotoShelter’s Free Business Guides for Photographers. Visit CameraCake daily to find, like and submit your favorite resources.

ASMP will host a day of discussion on Orphan Works in advance of the possible introduction of legislation on the issue. Representatives of major visual arts trade organizations including PACA, PPA, APA, GAG, NPPA, NANPA, EP and WHNPA will convene in New York City later this month to share information and discuss strategy. Executive Director Eugene Mopsik, President Jim Cavanaugh and General Counsel Victor Perlman will represent ASMP at the meeting.

On Monday, December 12, 2011, a panel of IP experts and commentators participated in a Copyright & Commerce Video Podcast: Orphan Works & Fair Use in a Digital Age. ASMP General Counsel Victor Perlman was among the panelists who offered their answers and insights into these compelling issues at the Knight Studio in the Newseum in Washington, DC. To watch, go here.

The obstacles facing copyright claims disputes, as well as possible alternatives, is a subject which is currently being studied by the U.S. Copyright Office. The Office has requested comments from ASMP and others about the extent to which photographers and other copyright owners are effectively prevented from seeking relief from infringements due to cost and complexity of the current system. ASMP has been working with other trade associations on this important issue and has provided comments as well as recommendations for improving the resolution of small copyright claims. To read ASMP’s comments, go here.

You can read the highlights of the most recent ASMP Board of Directors Meeting here. The next Executive Board Meeting will be held in early February.

We need your feedback on the delivery of ASMP’s educational resources! As we develop new topics that are timely and valuable, we also want to deliver them in the most useful way. Please take our short survey and let us know how you want your programming offered in the future. For example, do you prefer to attend events “in-person” or would you rather access programs on-line? Go here to tell us your thoughts!

The series of free webinars jointly produced by ASMP and Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) to educate creators and users on copyright, licensing and monetization of content continues! The webinars have been popular with corporate buyers of visual materials, as well as photographers and other imaging professionals. The next webinars to be presented are: “Alternate Approaches to Relicensing / Reusing Existing Visual Content” on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 and “License Tracking: Systems & Technologies” on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. Sign up here to reserve your spot.

Susan Carr is speaking on her new book “The Art and Business of Photography” at Silver Eye Center for Photography in Pittsburgh on January 25th. For more information on Silver Eye go here and for more information about the book go here.

Will & Deni Media Inc. has won an Award of Merit from The Accolade Competition for “Saving the Hansen House”, a one-hour documentary that had its broadcast premiere on North Carolina Public Television (UNC-TV) in October and its theatrical premiere at Winston-Salem’s a/perture cinemas. Will McIntyre was the cinematographer and producer for the movie. For more info, visit hansenhousefilm.com.

Mark Chester’s TWOSOMES exhibit will be on display at OK HARRIS, 383 West Broadway, New York, NY, from January 28 through March 3, 2012. The artist will be present on Saturday, January 28, 3:00-5:00 PM and books and exhibition prints will be available for purchase. For more info, go here.

Architectural Photography in the Digital Realm with Jeffrey Totaro will be offered Feb 21-25, 2012 through the Palm Beach Photographic Centre. During this four day workshop time will be spent shooting at various locations near the workshop in addition to lectures, demonstrations of various topics and techniques, and critiques of work produced on location. To find out more, go here.

Mark A. Steele was selected to exhibit dozens of his images documenting leading retail concepts at the 2012 annual convention of the National Retail Federation (NRF). This is NRF’s first-ever photography exhibit — “Documenting Retail Design” during its annual trade show (January 16 and 17) at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. Steele’s images creatively capture retail design projects that have opened over the past five years. More info here.

Jennifer Richter Photography is the featured artist in the gallery exhibition Urban Landscapes and Holy Places in The Vino Gallery in Saint Louis, MO. The show, featuring “California Overpasses” will run until March 17. More info at www.thevinogallery.com

In Memoriam: Sadly, Eve Arnold passed away on January 4, 2012. She joined ASMP in June of 1951 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1980. She will perhaps be best remembered for her exceptional photographs of people; the famous, politicians, musicians, artists and the unknown. Her intimate, sensitive and compassionate ten year collaboration with Marilyn Monroe has cemented her as one of the most iconic portrait photographers of our time.

ASMP Executive Director Eugene Mopsik and Board Member Gail Mooney attended the opening of the Young Photographers Alliance 2011 Mentoring Program exhibition at the Calumet Gallery in New York where 62 mentees are displaying their work through January 20th. ASMP is a Major Founding Sponsor of YPA.

Canon Live Learning Discount

Canon Live Learning continues to lead the way in imaging education and ASMP members receive a 10% discount on the exciting 2012 lineup. Included are a wide range of Destination workshops, Speedlite and HD Video workshops, and professional development offerings. A complete schedule of offerings for 2012 can be found at usa.canon.com/canonlivelearning. To take advantage of the discount, go here

Lumiquest Offer

For 25 years LumiQuest has manufactured the most effective and comprehensive line of photographic flash accessories in the world. ASMP members are invited to explore the possibilities and discover that flash really is “The Most Available Light” with a discount of $5 off any order over $25. Go here for details.

Professional Women Photographers (PWP) invites all women artists working with any photographic process to submit images to the Spring 2012 Women’s International Juried Photography Exhibition. Submission deadline is January 31, 2012. The exhibition juror will be Mary Ellen Mark. The contest includes $3000 in cash awards; valuable prizes provided by Datacolor, a group show in Manhattan’s .NO gallery; an online exhibition and a feature article in IMPRINTS Magazine Spring/Summer 2012 issue. For complete information, go here.

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