Photo Ownership

[Edward H. Lybarger]

The old Copyright law provided for a term of 28 years, plus a renewal of a
like term.  Current law grants protection for the life of the author plus 75
years.

Ed

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
[mailto:owner-pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org]On Behalf Of
HRBran99 at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2000 10:00 AM
To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
Subject: Re: Photo Ownership


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