I can't remember the dates we're talking about here, but the only other
possibility I can think of is if the originals are young enough to still be
under copyright the historical society could have purchased or been given
the copyright from the original owner. Probably the best thing to do is just
call and ask the NYSHS what exactly is copyrighted - the information or the
microfilm? Regardless, you should be able to make copies for research
purposes... so the only real question is how you should attribute the
material.

I, of course, am no legal expert, either. This is purely my opinion.

Christine

----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael D. Bathrick" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2003 4:15 PM
Subject: Re: Microfilm copywrites (newspapers)


> According to MY understanding of Copyright - I am not a lawyer nor do I
> play one on TV - they are copyrighting the format, not the material.
> Laws changed a few years ago on copyright.  Copyright no longer requires
> filling out forms - the act of creation gives the creator copy rights.
> Therefore - depending on WHEN the microfilm was created - Sidney
> Historical Society may or may not have copy rights on their microfilm.
>
> Of course I could be wrong....
>
> Mike
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: A LISTSERV list for discussions pertaining to New York State
> history. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of mike engle
> Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 2:56 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Microfilm copywrites (newspapers)
>
> Hello list,
>
>   I have a question I hope someone can answer.
>
> I was at SUNY Oneonta, and they had the Cooperstown, NY newspaper on
> microfilm, and I ran into something I have never seen before.  At the
> begining, the microfilm was copywrited by the NYS Historical Society.
> Basicly saying that you can't make copies FROM that microfilm and
> publish
> it, without consent from the NYSHS.
>
>   Now my question is this.  I've never seen this copywrite notice on any
> other microfilm.  For example. the Sidney, NY historical society has
> their
> newspapers on microfilm, without a copywrite notice.  Does this mean
> that
> the Sidney microfilm is not copywrited by their historical society?
>
> Best Regards
> Mike Engle
>
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