The ArtistsAlliance.us team and its connected working groups are following and advocating on key issues that impact the artists community.

Some of the Key areas of interest we are following:

Independent Contractors Rights

Many artists are self employed/ freelance workers and want to be treated as independent contractors to keep control of the intellectual property they create (when you are classified as an employee you lose all ownership rights to the intellectual property you create as an employee).  There is a huge issue in the state of Massachusetts on this very issue due to legislation that was passed in 2004. Many other states have or are in the process of passing similar laws and there is also a national push for federal legislation much like what the Massachusetts passed.

For more information on what is happening in Massachusetts:

http://www.artistsunderthedome.org/MAindependent_contractor.html

A good article on the issue:

http://www.mbbp.com/resources/employment/independent_contractor.html

White paper on the MA law change:

http://www.artistsunderthedome.org/IC_2010_paper.pdf

National Health Care Reform Implementation

ArtistsAlliance.us will be working closely with the Artists Health Care Working Group and HeatlhcareForArtists.org, both  based in Massachusetts, and other interested parties to track, monitor, and better serve the artists community in regard to the implementation of the National Health Care Reform Law.

http://www.healthcareforartists.org/working_group.html

Intellectual Property Protection & Artists

Rights are a key area ArtistsAlliance.us monitors and advocates for on many levels. Issues such as “Orphan Works”, Unfair contract practices around IP  and Right to Publicity are some of the many areas we are focusing on.