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Online Response to a Struggle for Copyrights
Posted on February 02, 2005
Obtaining copyright materials for your film can be an insurmountable obstacle from finding the correct person to clear those rights to the exorbitant costs attached to them. As illuminated in our Just Media Project, the current media landscape of conglomeration and consolidation is only making copyright matters worse.
The Washington Post uses the pivotal 1987 documentary series Eyes on the Prize as a ripe example of a documentary that is no longer in the public domain because the copyrights have expired. This documentary series explores the civil rights movement using footage and images of the tumultuous era that are increasigly difficult to find. The executive producer of the series passed away before the copyrights could be renewed and if done today, they could cost over half a millon dollars to obtain. Eyes on the Prize aired on PBS in 1994 and went on to win over 23 awards but copyright laws are holding this seminal document of the civil rights movement hostage.
While the system of paying someone to use their work is logical, there are examples where the value of having that work available to the public is greater than the copyright price tag attached to it. Eyes on the Prize is the most important documentary ever made about the Civil Rights Movement and on February 8th, there is campaign to bring this film back to a nationwide audience.
Downhill Battle, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting participatory culture and bringing positive change to the music industry, is responsible for organizing the February 8th events and is facilitating the veiwing parties by making Eyes on the Prize: Part 1 available for download on their site.
Here is what you can do:
READ the entire Washington Post article, "A Struggle For Rights"
Organize a screening in your community!
Tell your friends and family about Eyes on the Prize.
Download flyers to share news about the event.