The “guestbook” function was very popular with early websites back in the 90ies when the internet was still in diapers. Nowadays, it has mostly been replaced by Web 2.0 features.
Still, I find a guetsbook a neat idea, as it enables visitors to leave general comments unrelated to individual posts or site content. So if, there’s anything you’d like to tell me, to ask me, you think I’m doing great or I should improve, or if you just want to let me know you’ve been visiting my site — please leave a comment below!
Thanks!
“As much as we approve of attempting to find a legal heir to Maier’s legacy, it would be extremely sad if her work couldn’t be published or exhibited for an indefinite amount of time.”
Mr. Esser,
The real issue is about copyright.
“People do not recognize the importance of this case to photographers, artists, writers, and others who create work, or their potential heirs. They only see some attorney trying to make a score. In reality, he is trying to establish some precedent.”
http://www.chicagonow.com/interesting-chicago/2014/09/vivian-maiers-work-is-in-legal-limbo/
Hi Nancy,
I am of course aware that this is about copyright, and that’s exactly the problem. Trying to make a precedent isn’t a bad thing per se, but does it make sense in this case? Maier died without any living relatives that could claim the inheritance of her work. While two possible cousins of hers have been made out, they probably never even heard of Ms Maier before they were contacted. So the real point here is: does it make sense to uphold copyright law by all means in a case like this? Or could it possibly be about so much more than just who the legal heir to her work is?
In my opinion, the latter is the case. While I certainly agree that Mr Maloof doesn’t have a much better claim to hold the copyright to her work, he is the one who spent time, money and effort on promoting it. And her work has a cultural importance that goes beyond the question of whether a removed cousin is her closest living heir or not. So should one person that has no affiliation to Maier at all have a say about what is to happen to her work, after it has been made public already? I think not.
It’s not a question about what is legally right, it’s a quesiton about what’s morally right. And it’s also a question of the purpose of copyright law, and how far it should be extended. In this case, I believe it’s too far.