Note:  The top border of the postcard credits Chicago as the location of Champaign’s Memorial Stadium.

Credit: Memorial Stadium, University of Illinois, Champaign, Gerson Brothers (#14779), Chicago.

Philip Kaufman by Annette Insdorf

Richard Linklater by David T. Johnson

David Lynch by Justus Nieland

John Sayles by David R. Shumway

For the second year in a row the Ebertfest gift bags will include complimentary copies of two recent books. VIPs, we hope that you enjoy Richard Linklater and John Sayles.

From Paul:
In his very last bit of programming work for the press, Will uncovered the problem that was preventing the fullest presentation of related titles. He applied the fix and then rode off into the sunset. Actually, Barbara picked him up, but you get the idea.

We wish you a very happy vacation, Will, before you return for your “R-word” party in 2012.

All woodland creatures are welcome at UIP.

We've got snowflakes inside the building!

This one looks dangerous.

A penguin gets ready to sled down the hill.

A little mouse hunting for food. Cardinals look on bemusedly.

This penguin is ready for winter! After sledding, he'll read some UIP books.

Season’s Greetings, everyone!

For even more background, read Lincoln Hall at the University of Illinois,

“A meticulously researched story of the planning, construction, dedication and evolution of the historic classroom building on the UI Quad. . . . Hoffmann’s book makes clear that … Lincoln Hall is a wondrous collection of art and architecture, as well as a unique tribute to Illinois’ most favorite son.”–The News-Gazette

Library Director Marsha Grove said Tolono and Mahomet residents are among the heaviest users of the Champaign library — a situation that has become particularly burdensome on the collection in a tight budget year. . . . Cardholders of area libraries other than those in Mahomet and Tolono will still be allowed to use their home library cards for free in Champaign. Patrons of the Urbana Free Library, part of the Lincoln Trails Library System that connects many libraries in the region, will be unaffected.

I live in Savoy and my family often checks out books from the Champaign Public Library.  My Sales Manager colleague with whom I share office space lives in Champaign. We continue to work together on good terms.

The estate of iconic pop artist Roy Lichtenstein was claiming that Brittany’s artwork was a copyright infringement of Lichtenstein’s Kiss V, which was, like so much of his other work, itself a reinterpretation of a comic book panel that is apparently not copyright protected.  Brittany’s painting was originally composed as a class assignment in derivative artwork, and she used the public domain comic book panel–and NOT the Lichtenstein work–as her source.

Thanks to the interwebs and the blogosphere and The Twitter, this local episode caught national attention, and the Lichtenstein estate recently backed off and allowed Elsinore to use the artwork.  We asked our rights and permissions manager, Kathleen Kornell, about her take on the case, and here’s what she said:

Well, I think you have to consider Lichtenstein work of art to be a derivative of the original, which I assume is in the public domain. Derivative works are those in which someone else’s creation is “recast, transformed, or adapted.” And a derivative work can be entitled to copyright protection in its own right. “The reasoning behind this is that the manufacturer of an art reproduction in a medium different from that of the original required the reproducer to contribute some measure of his own special skill, and that contribution is entitled to protection.”

The above sentence was taken from The Copyright Book: A Practical Guide, 4th Edition, by William S. Strong and referred to a mezzotint reproduction of a painting but I think it could also apply to Lichenstein’s Kiss V, which is magna on canvas v. the original comic book images. But the protection afforded to a derivative work extends only to the original contribution of the maker.

So, I guess you would have to ask what is original and copyrighted about Roy Lichtenstein’s work and did Brittany appropriate enough of it to be considered copyright infringement? And I think that answer can be subjective and even a copyright lawyer might have trouble determining it.

I don’t believe I’ve ever worked directly with the Lichtenstein estate but even if they are not entirely in the right in this matter, they probably have the time, money and legal power to back their claim whereas Elsinore might not.

Fortunately for Elsinore and their fans, the Lichtenstein estate decided NOT to pursue this claim any further, but for a few days it provided fodder for some hot conversation, both online and off.

From left to right: Joe, Roberta, Lisa B., Rohn, Lisa S., & Jennifer

On Monday, several gracious UIP employees volunteered to answer phones for WILL-TV‘s Winter Pledge Drive. As we answered phones and filled out pledge forms (on camera!), we listened to programs featuring Red Grange; the University of Illinois marching band; and the a capella group, Straight No Chaser. You can view a list of volunteer groups, including UIP, here.

Thanks go out to Lisa B., Rohn, Roberta, Joe, and Jennifer. Also thanks to Michael and Lisa B. for organizing everything. Finally, thank you to WILL for another great volunteer experience!

P.S. For more on Red Grange, check out our book on the great football player, Red Grange and the Rise of Modern Football, by John M. Carroll. And if you have a passion for a capella, check out Joshua S. Duchan’s article, “Collegiate A Capella: Emulation and Originality,” in Volume 25, Number 4 (Winter 2007) of American Music.

“Ethnic Illinois: French Traditions in Music and Food:” Dennis Stroughmatt, an authority on French Creole music, presents a program featuring traditional music that has been played in this region for the past 300 years.

Unfortunately I can’t go, but if someone else is brave enough to venture out into the December deep-freeze, I’d love to hear about it.

The Press is not affiliated with this event, but we do have books on related topics, including:

French Roots in the Illinois Country: The Mississippi Frontier in Colonial Times
Author: Carl J. Ekberg

Tales and Trails of Illinois
Author: Stu Fliege

Illinois: Crossroads of a Continent
Author: Lois A. Carrier

These and others should be available from the library, or to purchase as a gift for your favorite Illinois history buff.