This is in regard to a book about the building of a fireproof farmhouse, built in 1907. It was published in 1913 by a publishing company that is no longer in existence, and the book is out of print. I am part of a community in northern NJ where the building stands and we are celebrating its 100th year. We would like to use the book written about the construction, scanning it and handing it out (possibly selling for a nominal fee) to those attending the celebration. What copyright issues might there be if any? Are there copyright laws that would prohibit us doing this? I also don't believe there are any of the author's /builder's family still alive.
2007-06-21 03:00:21 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Jack... Thank you very much. I Googled again (after apparenly not asking the best way the 1st time) and got this: "Anything copyrighted prior to 1923 is in the public domain. (Practically speaking, this includes anything published prior to 1923, since publication without copyright put the work straight into the public domain.) " So you are correct. I will give "best answer" when the alloted time as passed."
2007-06-21 03:14:32 · update #1
If the book was published in 1913, the copyright has most likely expired and the book is in public domain. If you're really concerned, contact the Library of Congress and see if the copyright was re-newed. I'd bet it wasn't.
2007-06-21 03:08:48 · answer #1 · answered by jack of all trades 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The copyright has most likely expired for anything published prior to 1923. You should be able to publish a new version and even add your own comments and update pictures. You can copyright your own "creative work" but you can't copyright the original bits.
I know people who have taken books like these and made the content into a series of videos, audio tapes, coffee table books...your creativity can take you a lot of places and you can really share your enjoyment of this content with a lot of people around the world.
There's a very good product that gives you a step-by-step process for doing your own copyright investigation and also gives you ideas for how you can use this to make a variety of new products. The URL is below.
Good luck!
2007-06-21 03:20:19 · answer #2 · answered by David S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if published prior to 1923 the content is in the public domain, however you still need to make sure you're copying an "original" and not a newly type-set version published later.
If there was any copyright information on the original (title, date of publication, date of deposit, author, publisher), you still need to carry that forward, even if it has expired.
Also, as a related matter, you still need to credit the original authors, illustrators, etc, else you'd be courting the aroma of plagiarism.
2007-06-21 04:15:33 · answer #3 · answered by Nuff Sed 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You really need access to the contract your father signed, at least. That should spell out whether rights to print the book for a certain number of press runs were purchased, or if the book was a work-for-hire, in which case, it's owned by someone else. Don't assume. Get the facts.
2016-05-21 10:27:27 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter. The company went under and I have no doubt the assets were sold. One of those assets is the copyright to that book.
Now, in fact, no one may hold the copyright now. But, just because the company doesn't exist anymore doesn't mean the copyright doesn't.
2007-06-21 03:15:38 · answer #5 · answered by Atavacron 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋