[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: copyright



Neil,
I dealt with a similar issue on records of defunct railroads in our
collections.  I consulted with U.S. Copyright staff, while at MAI, and they
were MOST helpful.  In my case, many of the defunct railroads had in fact
been merged into, bought out by, or were re-organized as other companies in
which case the records (& copyrights) became property of the "new" entity.

Also, if they contracted photographers for some of their photos, the
photographers in many cases retained copyright.  I hope this is somehow
helpful.  When all else fails, ask the U.S. Copyright staff.

Yes, it IS balmy in Virginia today.  Spring fever abounds.


At 02:05 PM 2/25/00 EST, you wrote:
>It's been awhile since I've seen a copyright question, so I thought I would
>pose one near and dear to me at the moment. I'm curious about the copyright
>implications for documents from a company that no longer exists. Here at the
>Space Business Archives, I've got a complete corporate history of the
>company that produced the first commercial rocket ever launched (in 1982).
>I"m talking 20 cubic feet of business plans, marketing reports, photos,
>video, etc.
>The documentation has been donated by three individuals from the company
>(including its president, CEO, and marketing director).
>
>Unfortunately, two of the individuals have passed away and their is no deed
>of gift (this was all done before I arrived...I couldn't have that on my
>conscience).
>
>My question is, does the company collectively own all copyright to documents
>created during its existence, and did that pass to us since they are no
>longer in business?
>I would like to have a line on this so that I have a way to approach the
>lone surviving donor of the material, especially since he has more to
>donate.
>
>Any direction would be appreciated on this 70 degree friday in Virginia.
>
>    Neil Dahlstrom
>
>-----------------------------------------------------------
>Neil Dahlstrom                         1403 King Street
>Chief Archivist                        Alexandria, VA 22314
>Space Business Archives                (703)535-8090 Voice
>ndahlstrom@spacearchive.org            (703)535-8093 Fax
>
>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
>
>A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!
>
>To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to listserv@listserv.muohio.edu
>      In body of message:  SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname
>                    *or*:  UNSUB ARCHIVES
>To post a message, send e-mail to archives@listserv.muohio.edu
>
>Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
>     http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html
>
>Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>
>
>
Darlene Richardson
Historian & Archivist
Virginia Museum of Transportation, Inc.
303 Norfolk Avenue, SW
Roanoke, VA  24016
(540) 342-5670
Fax: (540) 342-6898

A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!

To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to listserv@listserv.muohio.edu
      In body of message:  SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname
                    *or*:  UNSUB ARCHIVES
To post a message, send e-mail to archives@listserv.muohio.edu

Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
     http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html

Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>