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When The Federal District Court of New York delivered a ruling of "Fair Use"  on July 1st , it made the copyright protection on my 1981 studio portrait of the iconic musician Prince basically meaningless. This legal decision was a blow to intellectual property for all visual artists, especially photographers. The decision is public record and should be looked at by anyone who wants to understand why their original works may not be full protected under the copyright law. In past few years decisions in copyright lawsuits have sometimes 'broadened' rights because of the description of what is 'transformative' under the Fair Use aspect of the copyright law. With the decision made on July 1st, I find one of the the issues at stake is whether a copyright owner's rights can be trampled on in the name of a famous artist taking it and, therefore,  it is considered “transformed. “ This would mean a famous artist can take the work of  the creator without their permission, change it anyway they like, and use as they will under the legal term "Fair Use.” The person/artist who changed the copyright holder’s image can actually copyright that image! What will this mean in today's world with Apps where anyone can take another person’s photo and in seconds change it enough by which they can call it theirs?….Where is the line drawn as to rights of the creator?  In the music industry the record labels fought to define how much of a song can be taken without the permission of the creator, the copyright holder, under the "Fair Use" aspect.  If we were to apply the court's decision on July 1st - then Tony Bennett who has a well known style and sound should own the copyright to  the song "I LEFT MY HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO.' !  How would the lyricist and musician who wrote it feel about that ? <br /><br />I ask myself what kind of place is the USA if someone can 'take' your work because they are famous and claim it as their art? <br /><br />Andy Warhol had been sued a number of times before. All of those cases were settled. I believe the Foundation is relying on the "fair use" part of the copyright law, to broaden the interpretation of what is "transformative" and thus never be sued again for copyright infringement. The lawyer representing them also represented Richard Prince. It seems to me, he has a vested interest in getting known for representing rich artists who take images without permission and making case law that protects them. If that was his and/or their motivation, they succeeded in my case with the ruling given by Federal Court. If I don't take this legal battle on and appeal this decision to a higher court, it can mean every photographer, every visual artist, even though their image is copyrighted, will not be protected from having their work claimed by someone else to do the work as they want, no permission from the original created needed. <br /><br /><br />There are more than 150,000 photographers in the United States. I don’t know how many visual artists in other areas there are but if each were to donate $10 each, we'd have the money needed for legal costs in this battle. The Warhol Foundation is the richest arts organization in the world. I've been one person battling them with help from people who have donated on mywww.gofundme.com/warholvsgoldsmith. I took out a loan  to pay about the $400,000.00 I have already spent battling this the past  2 years. I need your help to continue this legal battle not just with money but with using your time, your voice, to speak to your community, your schools, your artist friends, that  if we want the copyright law to do what I believe congress meant for it to do when they wrote the law..... protect artists, then they will go to their social networks and express themselves and ask others to do so as well about the rights of creators and the importance of them to this country. <br /><br />With your help both financially and in sharing what this is about, I hope to define what is transformative under the fair use aspect of the copyright law so that no one else has to endure what I've had to, so that heirs to work can benefit from what was left to them, and so that  future creators who copyright their work will never have to battle for their rights against deep pocketed artists, businesses, or foundations. <br /><br /><br />It's time for us to STAND TOGETHER, to show that we will protect our rights and will not be intimidated by the money it costs to be in the fight. <br /><br />Please join me in this crusade. Every dollar, every word, every signature of support is meaningful.<br />www.gofundme.com/warholvsgoldsmith<br />sincerely<br />Lynn Goldsmith

TAKE PART IN LEGAL COSTS TO PROTECT ARTIST'S RIGHT

<div>Hi, my name is Mitchell Lemons. I'm Mandy Lemons Nikides' brother. I'm starting this fund for my sister because the love of her life, her husband Sturgis Nikides, has passed away after a brief battle with cancer. Sturgis was a devoted husband and loyal friend. He was also well known and respected in the Blues music community around the world. 
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<div>Mandy and Sturgis met in New York City in 2008. Brought together through their passion for the blues they began what would become a unique musical partnership and love story. They were married in 2010 and were devoted to each other for the past 14 years. Their collaboration as the musical duo Low Society staked their claim as an exciting and talented musical force. They recorded three albums and toured the blues circuit in the US and Europe.
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<div>Sturgis was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024. The disease progressed too rapidly for treatment to be effective and he passed away on April 9, 2024.
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<div>This fund is dedicated to the expenses associated with the cremation and memorial service as well as living expenses to help Mandy get through this difficult time. She is also going to finish and release their 4th album. All funds will go directly to Mandy and any contribution is appreciated. 
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<div>Sturgis was taken from us too soon and my hope is this fund will help my sister in this difficult time. 
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<div>Thank you all for checking out this page. 
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Support Mandy in Honoring Sturgis' Legacy and Life.

Michael Plen, beloved friend and colleague to so many, has lost his home to the Mailibu fire.  He, his wife and son are safe, but his house burned to the ground with everything in it but some clothes, family pictures and hard drives. Plen, Cat and Everette are facing a long road to recover and rebuild. Let's all pitch in to help.<br /><br />Right now they need help with temporary housing. Down the road there will be rebuilding, all the costs insurance won't cover, and a million little things he and Cat can't yet predict.<br /><br />It's time to do for Plen the way he has done for all of us, with never-say-die determination, generosity and humor. (Who remembers the Attack Hamster?)<br /><br />If you want to join our fundraising team or have any ideas to spread the word and raise more money, please reach out. Every dollar and social media post/share makes an important difference.<br /><br />Thank you!

Plen Family Fire Relief Fundraiser

<strong>Richard Lloyd here. I lost my studio space in midtown Manhattan and am moving to Tennessee at the end of the year. I have all my gear to move and set up plus household things but when I get there  to build a new studio and I plan on recording a new record both electric and perhaps an acoustic number. Music means everything to me. Art means everything to me. I'm the founding member of the band Television, and a prime mover in the foundation of CBGBs new-wave and punk rock movement earning a place in rock history, especially their first album Marquee Moon, which still ranks as one of the top debut albums of all time. Please help me to make another valuable record which ought to come out next spring. I certainly need the money before December, so I'm hoping</strong> that my fans and friends freely donate knowing the money is going to where it says it's going and to a good cause.

Richard Lloyd's New Album and Move

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