PROTECTING THE RIGHT RIGHTS?

Seven years after it was proposed, a bill designed to protect the basic rights of artists awaits approval by the Australian Senate this month. “The bill contains three basic rights: the right to attribution, the right against false attribution, and – the most contentious – the right to integrity. This would allow artists to protest against ‘derogatory’ treatment of their work – a book published with a chapter removed, for example, or a painting hung in the wrong position.” Sounds great, but film and television groups have already expressed concern that the bill might discourage industry investment, and writers fear they’ll lose the modest bargaining power they already possess. – The Age (Melbourne) 11/13/00