FYI.

Hello CHOO/COPO Members, see below for an important message from the 
Ontario Museums Association. This warning is relevant to all heritage 
groups responsible for collections - not just to museums.

Meg Hamilton, /Executive Director /

Council of Heritage Organizations in Ottawa/
Conseil des organismes du patrimoine d'Ottawa 
(613) 562-0405 
www.choocopo.ca <http://www.choocopo.ca/>

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WARNING NOTICE : To all OMA members and museums across Ontario: The OMA 
has been made aware that Sun Media Corporation and its affiliated 
companies, representatives, agents, etc...is currently circulating to 
museums a FREELANCER AGREEMENT determined to establish copyright and 
parameters of use for "Content" provided by museums to their local 
newspapers for publication, either photographs of photos of artifacts, 
etc...

THE OMA RECOMMENDS AND ADVISES MEMBERS NOT TO SIGN THIS AGREEMENT -

As it stands this agreement would allow unlimited and worldwide use by 
these newspapers with no consideration of compensation (payment) or 
would waive any right of the copyright owner , you the museum, to have 
input into the use, frequency of use, etc....of the documents. See 
especially Clause 5.

These are now circulating in various communities across Ontario and are 
being presented as a simple document for local and/or regional use to 
facilitate the relationship with the local paper. Unfortunately, the 
matter is more substantive and warrants more action and judicious 
research on our part.

THE OMA will contact Sun Media Corp. directly as well as seek outside 
independent cousel on this issue. Please stay tuned and hold off on 
signing - unless you have had independent and informed legal counsel on 
this agreement.

We will let you know as to results of our inquiries. In the interim, we 
suggest you proceed on a case by case basis with your usual copyright 
clearances/one time only use included in your agreement.

Marie G. Lalonde

Executive Director