NEWSLETTER
CREATORS’ RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Issue No. 1 | February 1, 2026
Who We Are
The Creators’ Rights Movement (CRM) is an education-driven advocacy initiative dedicated to protecting, empowering, and informing creators about their intellectual property rights.
The Movement exists to serve creators across music, film, writing, visual arts, digital media, and emerging platforms—especially those who have historically been underpaid, under-protected, or exploited due to lack of access to legal knowledge and resources.
Our core belief:
Creativity is labor.
Intellectual property is an asset.
Creators deserve ownership—not just exposure.
What Is a Copyright?
A copyright is the legal ownership of an original work the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form, including music, lyrics, films, photos, books, scripts, artwork, choreography, and more.
You do not need to be famous.
You do not need to be paid yet.
If you created it—you own it.
Why Copyrights Matter
Your work has value—even before it makes money.
Copyrights are not just paperwork. They represent protection, power, and legacy. If you create something, you should control it.
What Copyright Protection Gives You
Copyright grants creators the exclusive right to:
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Reproduce their work
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Distribute or sell their work
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Perform or display their work publicly
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License their work to others
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Control how their work is altered or reused
Without these protections, others can profit from your creativity while you are left out of the conversation.
Why Creators Lose Their Rights
Too many creators lose ownership because they:
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Sign contracts they do not fully understand
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Share work online without protections or attribution
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Assume exposure is more valuable than ownership
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Fail to register or document their intellectual property
Once rights are signed away, they are rarely easy—or inexpensive—to recover.
Knowledge Is the First Line of Defense
Understanding copyrights empowers creators to:
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Ask better questions before signing agreements
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Negotiate fair terms
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Protect long-term income streams
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Preserve creative control
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Build generational wealth through intellectual property
This is why education—not fear—is the foundation of the Creators’ Rights Movement.
Why This Structure Matters
Movements fail when they lose sight of who they serve.
The Creators’ Rights Movement was intentionally built to remain creator-centered, education-focused, and legacy-minded. By uniting founders, partners, and creators under shared values—not ego or trend—the Movement ensures its work remains ethical, relevant, and sustainable.
Spokesperson Spotlight
Ricky Abernathy: A Legacy Voice Reclaiming Its Power
Ricky Abernathy stands as a reminder of what enduring artistry looks like. His return to the spotlight is not nostalgia—it is the continuation of a career built on discipline, lived experience, and respect for craft.
As a former member of the iconic funk group Lakeside, Abernathy experienced the industry during a time when creative brilliance often outpaced legal protection. His career underscores a lesson many creators learn too late: talent opens doors, but knowledge keeps them open.
His journey reinforces three essential truths:
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Creative work carries measurable value beyond visibility
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Longevity requires adaptability without surrendering integrity
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Ownership and education are non-negotiable for sustainable careers
His alignment with CRM reflects lived experience, not symbolism. Today, his focus extends beyond performance to preservation, accountability, and legacy.
Why This Matters to Creators
As part of CRM’s Creator Education & Ownership Campaign, we spotlight artists whose journeys reveal the real-world impact of understanding—or misunderstanding—creative rights.
These campaigns encourage informed dialogue, ethical industry practices, and proactive ownership.
Leadership & Key Partners
Charles Wallert
National Entertainment Industry Liaison
Lifetime Grammy Voting Member and producer/composer for George Benson, Dionne Warwick, O.C. Smith, and others. His role bridges creators, educators, executives, platforms, and corporations across entertainment.
Mark Goldstein
Founding Supporter & Strategic Contributor
Supports creator education, ethical industry practices, and long-term ownership awareness.
Kimberly Weekes
Media Relations & Artist Advocacy Partner
Provides expertise in ethical promotion, responsible representation, and rights-aware visibility.
Eudon “Bless” Delemar
Creative & Community Engagement Partner
Supports community connection, cultural respect, and responsible collaboration between creators and systems.
Dr. Rhonda M. Lawson
Author Advocate
Award-winning author and literacy strategist educating authors on copyright and intellectual property through public programs, YouTube, and national events.
Our Mission in Action
Education
Providing accessible information on:
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Copyright law
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Intellectual property ownership
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Licensing and usage rights
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Contract awareness
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Attribution and fair compensation
Protection
Encouraging creators to:
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Register and document their work
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Understand ownership before sharing
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Treat creative work as a business asset
Advocacy
Amplifying creators who seek fair credit, ethical treatment, and long-term ownership.
Legacy & Sustainability
CRM promotes long-term thinking, ownership over virality, and generational wealth through intellectual property.
Take Action
Sign the petition. Protect your work.
https://creatorsrightsmovement.com
“If you don’t claim your rights, someone else will.”
Contact Us
Media inquiries:
crmmedia@creatorsrightsmovement.com
Sharon J. Hill – Publicist
Dr. Rhonda M. Lawson – Assistant Publicist
Amanda Sherman – Editor
