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Archiver > GENMSC > 1996-09 > 0842465742


From: Jeff Murphy <>
Subject: Copyright law
Date: Wed, 11 Sep 1996 11:15:42 -0700


Richard Lebo wrote:

> Speaking of transcribed material. What are the legalities ref.
>copyright laws of transcribing/scanning a book into a web page? For instance
>is it legal to scan a book of passenger list data and make it available on a
>web page? Or how about PA archive data? These would be some of the things
>I would find useful. Any "net" lawyers out there with an opinion?

In 1909 the copyright law stated that a copyright was for a period of 28
years. This could be renewed for an additional 47 year period, making a
total of 75 years of copyright protection.

In 1976 the copyright law was changed. Copyrights are now for the period
of the creator's life plus 50 years. Anything copyrighted before 1976 falls
under the 1909 law.

This means that anything published prior to 1921 has no further copyright
protection, and can be published freely by anyone. The same would apply to
photostated copies of that material, or reprints of books originally
published prior to that time. The mere reprinting of material does not
extend the copyright beyond the 75 year period, unless additional material
has been added, and even then only the additions may be copyrighted.

Jeff Murphy 735 NW 8th Redmond, Oregon 97756 h. (541) 548-4478
Muhlenberg Co., KY Genealogy: http://www.teleport.com/~jmurphy/
KY Biographies Project: soon to be at starbase21.com

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