Jeffries Introduces New Copyright Law; Protects Independent Creators
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-Central Brooklyn, Coney Island) alongside Congressman Tom Marino introduced a bipartisan bill to help artists and creatives protect their life’s work from unauthorized reproduction yesterday.
The Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement (CASE) Act of 2017 will create a Copyright Claims Board (“CCB”) in order to provide a simple, quick and less expensive forum for copyright owners to enforce their intellectual property. The majority of the copyright owners that are affected by piracy and theft are independent creators with small copyright infringement claims. The CCB will establish an alternative forum to the Federal District Court for copyright owners to protect their work from infringement.
Participation in the CCB will be voluntary, and respondents will have the ability to opt out. The CCB will be housed within the U.S. Copyright Office, and its jurisdiction limited to civil copyright cases with a cap of $30,000 in damages. A panel of three Copyright Claims Officers will be designated to adjudicate and settle copyright claims. The simplified proceedings do not require the parties to appear in-person and will permit them to proceed pro se – i.e., without an attorney.
“The establishment of the Copyright Claims Board is critical for the creative middle class who deserve to benefit from the fruits of their labor. Copyright enforcement is essential to ensure that these artists, writers, musicians and other creators are able to commercialize their creative work in order to earn a livelihood. The CASE Act will enable creators to enforce copyright protected content in a fair, timely and affordable manner. This legislation is a strong step in the right direction,” said Jeffries.
Mayor Holds ‘City Howl’, Dog Adoption Event
Mayor Bill de Blasio will host “City Howl,” a dog adoption event to celebrate Adopt a Shelter Dog month today.
The event will give New Yorkers an opportunity to adopt rescue dogs currently in the city’s animal shelter system. Adoption fees range from $25 to $150, and adoptions include vaccinations, spay/neuter, a pre-registered microchip, a collar, an identification tag and a certificate for a free initial exam at a participating veterinarian. Adopters must be at least 18 years old and bring a photo ID and proof of current address. New Yorkers can also stop by to learn more about foster opportunities and other ways to volunteer.
The event will also feature information on disaster preparedness by the Office of Emergency Management, in light of the recent storm season.
The event is slated for 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., today, Oct. 5, at City Hall Park, Corner of Broadway & Park Place in Lower Manhattan.
Menchaca Throws Support Behind NY Harbor School In Red Hook
City Council member Carlos Menchaca (D-Red Hook, Sunset Park) voiced his full support for a 640 seat New York Harbor middle school yesterday.
Menchaca threw his full support behind the school during a siting meeting in Red Hook alongside State Senator Velmanette Montgomery (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Boerum Hill) and School Construction Authority President Lorraine Grillo on Wednesday.
The 60,000-square foot site located at 21 Delavan Street (and adjacent properties) is bounded by Delavan, Richards and Verona Streets. The south side of the site is across Verona Street from Coffey Park. The intended middle school would serve approximately 640 students depending on final configuration and design. The site is located very close to Red Hook’s Atlantic Basin maritime facilities and is currently occupied by a low-rise manufacturing building and open space.
At the meeting yesterday, School District 15 representatives expressed support for the proposed location with Grillo confirming active negotiations with the current owner of the site. Menchaca committed to fully supporting the City Council land use process required for new school siting and noted this will be the sixth new school site in Council District 38 in the last 3 years.
“Red Hook’s rich maritime history, access to the harbor and need for public schools make it an ideal location for the New York Harbor School. I pledge my full support for every step in this site’s community engagement process and all City Council land use requirements. I applaud my colleagues for upholding our vision for the Harbor School and I encourage local residents to stay actively involved in creating a world-class educational facility here,” said Menchaca.
Donovan Authorizes $10 Billion For Border Wall
Congressman Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) voted to support President Trump’s proposed border wall by authorizing $10 billion for deployment and construction.
The measure is part of the Border Security for America Act, which authorizes the federal government to take a variety of steps to stop illegal entries in the United States. Major provisions of the Border Security for America Act include: authorizing the construction of a border wall, securing ports of entry, putting more boots on US borders, increasing air and marine flight hours for Customs and Border Patrol Agents, authorizing the use of the National Guard on the southern border, targeting visa overstays and supporting local law enforcement.
The act passed out of the Homeland Security Committee yesterday.
“Our immigration system is broken, but any repairs we make are meaningless unless we stop illegal immigration. We’re a sovereign nation and it’s our responsibility to know who enters and leaves through our borders. I fully support President Trump’s push to secure the border and will continue advocating in the Homeland Security Committee to make it happen,” said Donovan.
Bichotte Announces October As National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Flatbush, Ditmas Park) announced the start of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, yesterday.
The month is marked by the color purple, which is the color chosen to represent the fight against domestic violence. The month is used to raise awareness and help victims and survivors of domestic violence.
Each year, a specific day in October — usually the third Thursday — is designated as “Wear Purple Day,” in which all New Yorkers are asked to join the national effort to raise awareness by wearing purple. The 2017 “Wear Purple Day” is Thursday, October 19.
According to Futures Without Violence, a national organization working to end violence against women and children, nearly one in four women in the US reports experiencing violence by a current spouse or boyfriend at some point in her life and almost half the women murdered in New York State are killed by their intimate partner.
Gentile Continues Family Movie Night; Screens “Zootopia”
City Council Member Vincent J. Gentile (D-Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Bath Beach) continues his Family Movie Night Series with the presentation of “ZOOTOPIA” this weekend.
The Family Movie Night Series, which is a completely free event and open to the public is done alongside NYC Parks and will feature free popcorn and giveaways.
The event is slated for 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7, at Dyker Beach Park, at the corner of 86th Street and 14th Avenue in Dyker Heights.
