Any copyright experts here?

[Parrot of Doom]

Who would own copyright on a photograph I took of a 220 year old document, in a county record office (not a public space in the most strict sense), hand-written by someone who obviously died more than 70 years ago, owned formerly by a company that converted to a railway company over 150 years ago, which became nationalised in 1948.

Because I'm fked if I can find an answer.

[tegwin]

I would imagine it is the same as photographing anything isnt it?

If you took the photo YOU have the rights to that photo to do with it as you please..

However, I guess its going to depend if you are trying to sell the "photo", or the contents of the book....


I kinda seee your quandry!

[dan1981]

I think you own the copyright to the photo - and doesn't copyrigt expire after 50 years on other documents?

Not the expert help you reqested but......

[Parrot of Doom]

I may own the copyright to the image, but what of the image contents?

For instance, what if your great great great grandparent took a photograph, and your family later donated it to the council library. Your ancestor died well over 70 years ago, but you go to the library, and take a picture of the photograph and the library then say - "hang on, we have copyright of that". How can they possess copyright over something owned by someone who died long ago?

Its not a big deal, basically I've been doing a lot of research on a wikipedia article and took a photograph of an interesting document important to the history of the article. The council are suggesting they own the copyright to the document, personally I'm not so sure. I'm going to remove it if they don't like it, as they've been very helpful in other areas, but I did suggest lowering the resolution so the text was completely illegible.

I'm just interested to know what the law is, is all.

Edited by Parrot of Doom on Tuesday 12th August 13:52

[dan1981]

Parrot of Doom said:

I may own the copyright to the image, but what of the image contents?

For instance, what if your great great great grandparent took a photograph, and your family later donated it to the council library. Your ancestor died well over 70 years ago, but you go to the library, and take a picture of the photograph and the library then say - "hang on, we have copyright of that". How can they possess copyright over something owned by someone who died long ago?

Its not a big deal, basically I've been doing a lot of research on a wikipedia article and took a photograph of an interesting document important to the history of the article. The council are suggesting they own the copyright to the document, personally I'm not so sure. I'm going to remove it if they don't like it, as they've been very helpful in other areas, but I did suggest lowering the resolution so the text was completely illegible.

I'm just interested to know what the law is, is all.

Edited by Parrot of Doom on Tuesday 12th August 13:52

wikipedia have a pretty good section on copyright so may be worth asking on there.....

[sdws]

Try here http://www.ipo.gov.uk/copy.htm and good luck. Copyright lawyers arn't rich for no reason.

[MonkeyHanger]

You own the copyright to the photograph.

I suspect the rights to use the image commercially are an entirely different matter.

Edit..

Actually if it was taken on private property witout permission you might not own the copyright

Edited by MonkeyHanger on Tuesday 12th August 14:13

[The Black Duke]

Why do you want to know that? Seems a little odd to me. Anyway PM and I can arrange an appointment for you.