NWU Endorses U.S. Copyright Reform Bills

The NWU has endorsed two bipartisan proposals introduced in the current Congress for reform of U.S. copyright law. Neither of these proposed laws would adequately address the fundamental problems for writers with current copyright law, but each of them would be a step in the right direction.  One of these bills, H.R. 3495, would create […]

Growing Coalition of Writers Renews Call for Reform of Copyright Registration

Back in January of 2017, the National Writers Union was joined by three other national organizations of writers in a variety of genres, media, and formats –– the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA), Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), and Horror Writers Association (HWA) — in a formal Petition for Rulemaking asking […]

Rally to Support Writers Fired at DNAinfo and Gothamist

NEW YORK, NY (November 6, 2017) – “We come not to mourn, but to organize.” That’s how Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) Executive Director, Lowell Peterson kicked off today’s rally in support of DNAinfo and Gothamist writers who were fired after voting to join the union. Right-wing billionaire-owner Joe Ricketts announced that he was shutting down […]

Ebony Freelancers and NWU Get to Know Each Other

On November 1, lawyers for NWU and the Ebony Media Organization finally met in a Cook County courtroom. At issue is the $80,000 owed to the 48 freelancers who are being represented by their union. The following night, about a dozen Ebony freelancers and some NWU reps met and got to know each other at […]

Writer Alert—UPTOWN Magazine—October 18 2017

UPTOWN Magazine–a national publication with regional editions in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. –has not been paying all of its freelance writers. Some writers remain unpaid since October, 2014. Together five writers, now represented by the National Writers Union, are owed $18,825 for work published by UPTOWN over the past three years. The NWU has tried repeatedly […]

NWU Brings the Ebony Fight to NABJ17!

The National Writers Union was well represented at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Annual Convention and Career Fair held in New Orleans held August 9-13, 2017. NABJ President Sarah Glover and her Board very generously gave our group a great platform to discuss the ongoing campaign to get Ebony freelancers paid.  Prior to […]

Press Release on Ebony Media’s Non-Payment to Freelancers

The National Writers Union Continues To Press Ebony Media For Written Agreement On Compensating Unpaid Freelancers Statement to the media not enough, says union that represents freelance writers NEW YORK, NY – As the number of freelance writers owed by EBONY Media continues to rise, the National Writers Union is demanding a firmer commitment from […]

Freelance Isn’t Free Becomes Law in NYC

On May 15, freelance workers celebrated the launch of the new Freelance Isn’t Free law at the Westinghouse Building in Manhattan. The Freelancers Union, with the support of the National Writers Union, Make the Road NY, and other unions and freelance organizations, helped push the bill through the City Council to a 51-0 vote last […]

Lawmakers Endorse Copyright Small Claims Court

Currently the only way to obtain damages for copyright infringement is a full-fledged lawsuit in Federal court, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars at best, and more often hundreds of thousands in a worst-case scenario. Hence there’s a reason for the phrase: “Make a Federal case out of it.”  That’s why key members […]