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Archiver > PAALLEGH > 2011-05 > 1304991461


From: Larry Thompson <>
Subject: Re: [ALL] pictures and copyrights
Date: Mon, 09 May 2011 21:37:41 -0400
References: <625918657.314056.1304989670602.JavaMail.mail@webmail12>
In-Reply-To: <625918657.314056.1304989670602.JavaMail.mail@webmail12>


Bill:
You're asking about a very complicated subject. I AM NOT a lawyer, but
my opinion and understanding is as follows. Before the 1976 revision a
copyright was for 28 years, but to be copyrighted it had to show it was
copyrighted, at least with a copyright mark. Copyright could be renewed
for an additional 28 years, but I doubt any photographer would go
through the expense of renewing copyright on their whole collection. So,
I think that any photo done before about 1948 would probably be safe to
use. One caveat, if the photo was printed in a book or magazine, then
there is a possibility that copyright may have been renewed. Hope this
helps.

Larry

On 5/9/2011 9:07 PM, c. william johnson jr wrote:
> I joined ancestry.com and I was wanting to upload some photographs some of them were professionally done; some back in the 1920s and before; some in the 40s, 50s and 60s etc..
>
> What is the rule for how old a photograph can be before you can consider it would be in public domain? How about those Photography studios that are no longer in business?
>
> I have a picture of my father-in-law in military uniform from WWII, a professional picture. Is that prohibited from sharing because of copyright?
>
> I couldn't find any info on when the photo becomes public domain.
>
> Bill Johnson
>
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
> Visit our Allegheny County, PA Website: http://www.rootsweb.com/~paallegh/
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--
My genealogy page
http://twothompsongenealogies.com/
Allegheny County Maps page
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lt0168/maps/

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