T ellers O f T raditional S tories N ot I nterested I n C opyright Conrad Jay Bladey:CARETAKER Dear Those Interested in the Oral Tradition of Storytelling: The time has come to set apart tellers of tales within the Oral Tradition from those who are working within the traditions of story acting, story recitation, and story copyrighting. These three traditons worthy as they may be should not be confused with the telling of tales within the oral tradition as it has developed over the centuries.Within this ancient tradition there has never been nor shall be any sense of copyright. While a teller may have from time to time wished to cite a source the practice was not a necessity. Tellers were engaged to bring not a story so much as an experience. Tellers also were not expected to bring the stories of others but were called upon to come up with their own original creation never telling the story twice the same always adding this or that.While I do not challenge the legality of copyright nor do I believe that fighting copyright should be a goal I do believe that those interested in copyright for their own work should not be confused with those working within the oral tradition.Those willing to become a part of the Traditional Oral Tradition should have their own identity and be able to stand appart from those who insist upon copyright or those who simply act out or recite the work of others or those who create specifically for such purposes.Those attending festivals or tellings should know who they are listening to and those who organize events should know who they are engaging to work. Those who attend a copyright tellers presentation should know to beware whereas those attending a TOTSNIIC presentation should know that they can absorb,join and engage in the traditon without any worry about finding out who to contact for permission for this that or the other. For the purpose of preserving the Identity of the Traditional Oral Tradition Teller and for the preservation of the Oral Tradition that it will bring About I have formed the Organization: T O T S N I I C Tellers of Traditional Stories Not Interested In Copyright. Membership is open to all who agree to the declaration of belief printed below, register with the organization, and agree to, as they are able, faithfully follow its guidelines. Benefits shall include a membership card with TOTSNIIC membership number. A registry of members,their addresses and numbers will be maintained for those who wish to consult it to find a TOTSNIIC. A fee of fifty cents (U.S.Dollars) will be required at the time of registration.At the moment it shall be a one time fee. All communication with TOTSNIICS shall be done with stampped self addressed envelopes. To register as a TOTSNIIC complete and sign the document printed below and mail it to: CONRAD JAY BLADEY CARETAKER TOTSNIICS PO 268 Linthicum,Md.21090 U.S.A. Along with fifty cents (U.S.dollars) cash or money order(I make no guarantee for receipt of cash but it is easy just tape to quarters to a card....)And a Self Addressed Stampped envelope(foreign orders just include 29 cents extra for stamp). You will receive a membership card and TOTSNIIC registration number.Use that registration number when refering to yourself as a TOTSNIIC. Those wishing to verify your membership can contact me also by sending a Self Addressed Stampped envelope. Eventually a list of contact addresses for all registered TOTSNIICS will be made available at cost or e. mailed. Enquiries for such should be directed to the addresss above. Or e. mail below. I can be reached via e. mail at : cb0005@epfl2.epflbalto.org TOTSNIIC AGREEMENT I BELIEVE IN THE SANCTITY OF THE ORAL TRADITION AS IT HAS EXISTED FROM THE BEGINNING OF TIME.I BELIEVE THAT TELLING IS NOT RECITATION NOR ACTING NOR WRITING BUT THAT TELLING IS ORIGINAL CREATION IN ITS OWN RIGHT. I BELIEVE THAT ALL TALES(STORIES) SO TOLD ENTER THE TRADITION AND THAT WHEN I TELL A TALE (STORY) I DO NOT CREATE NOR CAN I EXACTLY RESTATE A TALE(STORY) BUT RATHER I CREATE AN EMOTION WITHIN THE LISTENER WHICH CAN NOT BE ACCURATELY DEFINED AND MAY NOT RESEMBLE THE TALE TOLD.I SHALL NOT as a TOTSNIIC EVER EXACTLY TELL COPYRIGHTED TALES NOR SHALL I COPYRIGHT ANY TALE(STORY) WHICH I TELL AS A TOTSNIIC NOR SHALL I REQUIRE OR EXPECT PERMISSION TO BE OBTAINED FROM ME FOR THE RETELLING OF ANY TALE(STORY) WHICH I TELL AS A TOTSNIIC. WHEN I ACCEPT PAYMENT FOR MY WORK IT SHALL NOT BE FOR THE TELLING OF TALES(STORIES) BUT FOR THE EXPERIENCES CONVEYED TO THE AUDIENCE. Conrad J.Bladey and TOTSNIICS SHALL HAVE MY PERMISSION TO DISTRIBUTE THE INFORMATION BELOW TO ALL WHO REQUEST A LIST OF TOTSNIICS OR WHO INQUIRE CONCERNING MY STATUS AS A TOTSNIIC.THIS INFORMATION WILL NOT BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE. SIGNED________________________ DATE__________________________ ADDRESS SNAIL__________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ ADDRESS E.MAIL_________________________________ IT IS HOPED THAT THOSE WISHING A TRADITIONAL TELLER IN THE ORAL TRADITION SHALL REQUEST A TOTSNIIC. TOTSNIIC ONLY FESTIVALS ARE ENCOURAGED. A TOTSNIIC PERFORMANCE SHOULD: -AVOID COPYRIGHT PROBLEMS -BRING GREATER ORIGINALITY AND CREATIVITY TO THE EVENT -DRAW THE AUDIENCE INTO THE TRADITION WITH GREATER EASE -EXTEND THE LIVING TRADITION IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN WITH EACH PERFORMANCE THUS CONTRIBUTING TO AN AGE OLD BODY OF CREATIVITY. THOSE INTERESTED IN HAVING TOTSNIIC PERFORMANCES SHOULD FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT ANY TIME IN REGARD TO REQUIREMENTS OF TOTSNIICS -ESSENTIALLY STATED ABOVE.THOSE PRESERVING THE TRADITION WILL BE REWARDED BY ITS PERPETUATION-THERE IS NO GREATER REWARD.KEEP TOTSNIIC STAGES AND PERFORMANCES PURE AND COPYRIGHT FREE BY SIMPLY WRITING ON THE STAGE OR PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: "TOTSNIIC" A TOTSNIIC PERFORMING ON A STAGE WITH THOSE OF OTHER TRADITIONS SHOULD MAKE THE DISTINCTION KNOWN THROUGH A SIMMILAR SIGN. THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE ABOVE MESSAGE IS ENCOURAGED PROVIDING IT IS NOT CHANGED IN ANY WAY. THE TERM "TOTSNIIC" SHALL REFER ONLY TO THOSE DESCRIBED AS SUCH IN THE ABOVE DOCUMENT. I know that it is impossible to please everyone all the time -this document is not offered for debate-I value your opinions-however I may not have the time to respond to all who wish to discuss it.If you agree simply fill in the document and send it along with membership fee.There will be no financial profit to anyone associated with this organization. If you have a comment-send it along to my e.mail address given above-I shall do my best to reply as time permits. Conrad Jay Bladey Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have. I can adapt this to fit space available.Thanks!!!!