Did you know Disney’s Steamboat Willie entered the public domain this year? Since its 1928 debut, U.S. Congress has made multiple changes to copyright law, extending Disney’s ownership of this cultural icon for almost a century. A century.

Creativity should spark more creativity.

That’s not how intellectual property laws are supposed to work. In the United States, these laws were designed to give creators a financial incentive to contribute to science and culture. Then eventually the law makes this expression free for everyone to enjoy and build upon. Disney itself has reaped the abundant benefits of works in the public domain including Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid" and "The Snow Queen." Creativity should spark more creativity.

In that spirit, EFF presents to you this year’s EFF member t-shirt simply called “Fix Copyright":

Copyright Creativity is fun for the whole family.

The design references Steamboat Willie, but also tractor owners’ ongoing battle to repair their equipment despite threats from manufacturers like John Deere. These legal maneuvers are based on Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act or DMCA. In a recent appeals court brief, EFF and co-counsel Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati argued that Section 1201 chills free expression, impedes scientific research, and to top it off, is unenforceable because it’s too broad and violates the First Amendment. Ownership ain’t what it used to be, so let’s make it better.

We need you! Get behind this mission and support EFF's work as a member. Through EFF's 34th anniversary on July 10:

• Be an EFF member for as little as $20!
• New recurring monthly or annual donations get an automatic match thanks to a $30,000 challenge grant from Craig Newmark Philanthropies.
• Get 2 rare gifts featuring our friends, The Encryptids (get in step with Bigfoot over here).

You can help cut through the BS and make the world a little brighter—whether online or off.

Join EFF

Defend Creativity & Innovation Online

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EFF is a member-supported U.S. 501(c)(3) organization celebrating TEN YEARS of top ratings from the nonprofit watchdog Charity Navigator! Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

It’s Day One of EFF’s summer membership drive for internet freedom! Gather round the virtual campfire because I’ve got special treats and a story for you:

1. New member t-shirts and limited-edition gear drop TODAY.
   
   
2. Through EFF's 34th birthday on July 10, you can get 2 rare gifts and become an EFF member for just $20! AND new automatic monthly or annual donors get an instant match.
   
   
3. I’m proud to share the first post in a series from our friends, The Encryptids—the rarely-seen enigmas who inspire campfire lore. But this time, they’re spilling secrets about how they survive this ever-digital world. We begin by checking in with the legendary Bigfoot de la Sasquatch...

-Aaron
EFF Membership Team

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P

eople say I'm the most famous of The Encryptids, but sometimes I don't want the spotlight. They all want a piece of me: exes, ad trackers, scammers, even the government. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but my digital profile is worth cash (to skeezy data brokers). I can’t hit a city block without being captured by doorbell cameras, CCTV, license plate readers, and a maze of street-level surveillance. It can make you want to give up on privacy altogether. Honey, no. Why should you have to hole up in some dank, busted forest for freedom and respect? You don’t.

Privacy isn't about hiding. It's about revealing what you want to who you want on your terms. It's your basic right to dignity.

Privacy isn't about hiding...It's your basic right to dignity.

A wise EFF technologist once told me, “Nothing makes you a ghost online.” So what we need is control, sweetie! You're not on your own! EFF worked for decades to set legal precedents for us, to push for good policy, fight crap policy, and create tools so you can be more private and secure on the web RIGHT NOW. They even have whole ass guides that help people around the world protect themselves online. For free!

I know a few things about strangers up in your business, leaked photos, and wanting to live in peace. Your rights and freedoms are too important to leave them up to tech companies and politicians. This world is a better place for having people like the lawyers, activists, and techs at EFF.

Join EFF

Privacy is a "human" right

Privacy is a team sport and the team needs you. Sign up with EFF today and not only can you get fun stuff (featuring ya boy Footy), you’ll make the internet better for everyone.

XOXO,

Bigfoot DLS

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EFF is a member-supported U.S. 501(c)(3) organization celebrating TEN YEARS of top ratings from the nonprofit watchdog Charity Navigator! Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

At least twice each year, we invite current EFF members to gather with fellow internet freedom supporters and to meet the people behind your favorite digital civil liberties organization. For this year’s Bay Area based members, we had the opportunity to take over Babylon Burning’s screen printing shop in San Francisco, where Mike Lynch and his team bring EFF art(work) to life.

To kick off the evening we had EFF’s Director of Member Engagement Aaron Jue, talk about the near-20-year friendship between EFF and Babylon Burning, the shop that has printed everything from t-shirts to hoodies to hats, and now tote bags. At EFF, we love the opportunity to support a local business and have a great partnership at the same time. When we send our artwork to Mike and his staff, we know it is in good hands.

Following Aaron, EFF’s Creative Director Hugh D’Andrade dived into some of EFF’s most popular works such as the NSA Spying Eagle and the many versions of the EFF Liberty Mecha. The EFF NSA Spying Eagle focuses on mass surveillance found in the Hepting and Jewel cases. The EFF Liberty Mecha has been featured on four different occasions, most recently on a shirt for DEF CON 29, and highlights freedom, empowerment through technology, interoperability, and teamwork. More information about EFF’s member shirts can be found in our blog and in our shop.

Mike jumped in after Hugh to walk members though a hands-on demonstration of traditional screen printing. Members printed tote bags, toured the Babylon Burning print shop, and mingled with EFF staff and local supporters.

Thank you to everyone that attended this year’s Spring Members’ Speakeasy and continue to support EFF as a member. Your support allows our engineers, lawyers, and skilled advocates to tend the path for technology users, and to nurture your rights to privacy, expression, and innovation online.

Thanks to all of the EFF members who participated at our annual Bay Area meetup. If you're not a member of EFF yet, join us today. See you at the next event!