Photo Ownership

[HRBran99 at aol.com]

In a message dated 06/28/2000 8:03:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
bob.dietrich at unisys.com writes:

<< I also have a PRCo poster from about 1940 introducing the PCC.  It contains
 photos of representative cars from the first horse car to the latest low
 floor car.  I was going to scan and use these photos referencing the poster
 as a source.  Is this right or wrong? >>

This item was produced by the Pittsburgh Railways Co. and belonged to them 
under the OLD copyright law. After 21 years it is on the open market. I am 
still doubtful if any person, organization, museum, etc., can take possession 
of such documents and claim them as their own under the law of copyright. 
There is a man in Cleveland, OH you works for Cleveland RTA. He obtained 
photos from the old Cleveland Transit System and now claims them as his and 
places a copyright on them. Bear in mind that these photos were taken by a 
photographer who was paid with taxpayers money, using a camera paid for by 
taxpayers money, on film bought by taxpayers money, and developed using 
taxpayers money. I would not hesitate to use any of those "public" photos at 
any time. I am sure a court would agree that some things cannot be 
re-copyrighted.

Also, check the Library of Congress website for information concerning 
copyrights. This is right from the "horses mouth."

HrB