Please folks, let's all spell "copyright" correctly...(it ain't spelled
"copywrite")---thanks!

Douglas Scott Treado, MA
Project & Sales Manager
___________________________________
Challenge Industries Preservation Microfilm (Nonprofit)
402 East State Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Telephone: (607) 272-8990
FAX: (607) 277-7865

  -----Original Message-----
  From: A LISTSERV list for discussions pertaining to New York State
history. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Daniel H.
Weiskotten
  Sent: Monday, March 17, 2003 9:18 PM
  To: [log in to unmask]
  Subject: Re: Microfilm copywrites (newspapers)


    I have never seen Newspaper microfilm copywrited before by and
historical
    society or library.  I would think the only one who could copywrite the
newspaper
    was the publisher.


  This is actually fairly common, and protects the effort and hard work of
the microfilmer.  Its not the paper itself that is copyright, it is the
medium in which it is presented.  The copyright on the microfilm cannot stop
you from printing out copies, or so I understand, but it can prevent you
from making a new reel of film without permission, which is only fair.

  This is also different from restrictions that may be imposed upon it by
the publisher, microfilmer or even a library that holds the originals or
films.  A number of years ago I found a hard-to-find source in the wonderful
archives at Cornell Univeristy, but the restrictions upon it made it
virtually impossible for me to use it in the way I needed.  Fortunately I
found a copy on e-bay for $20.00.  That solved everything and when I get it
posted on my web pages I will hold the copyright to my electronic version.
Learning a trick from various businesses, I include little traps that do not
compromise the material but can be used in court to prove that it is my work
should some unscrupulous scoundrel abscond with all my work and claim it as
their own.

  Just ask permission.  I have been ignored in most of my requests, laughed
at for some, but never turned down.

  Dan W.