There are many factors in regard to copyright and ownership. Example: some
19th century newspaper companies are no longer in existence. Many of these
older newspapers are in the public domain--(and in the attics or basements
of individuals and historical societies which kept them).
On the other hand, there are present newspaper companies who have
historically owned the copyright--even though the title of the newspaper has
changed over the years...
So, there is no easy answer to this question. Nonetheless, preservation
35mm microfilming of older newsprint is so important to preserving this
information--before it's lost. (Also, the same for City/County
Directories.)
We have done many of these projects--and have seen the brittle, yellowing
pages from several counties around NY State and elsewhere (1840's-present).
The copyright question is easily handled--just a matter of checking with the
original place where these newspapers were printed.
As far as the microfilming vendor claiming copyright, this would be a rare
happening...(UMI has made contracts with historical newspaper holdings which
has permitted them to sell copies, I'm sure...)
And then there are individuals who have purchased long runs of older
newspapers and actually sell the original pages to buyers...one I believe to
be in Pennsylvania. Then of course there is the saga of Mr. Nicholson
Baker, the "anti-microfilming, store the originals" guy--One wonders what
will become of those newspapers he has stored somewhere in New England...!
So, again, there are several variables to pursue in regard to ownership...
P.S. We would be happy to assist anyone who needs preservation microfilming
done properly....
Best wishes to the list,
Douglas Scott Treado, MA
Project & Sales Manager
___________________________________
Challenge Industries 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
Hinckley
Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2003 5:33 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Microfilm copywrites (newspapers)
Hi. I am hoping this is just an individual instance.
If SUNYO paid for the Cooperstown paper to be
microfilmed, then they should be able to charge for
copies from it, and even consider direct quotes to be
their "property." If not, then I, too, will be waiting
for other people's input on this. I have had two
experiences with this: 1) an organization which
produced a paper on micro_print seemed to hold the
copywrite, but in reply to my question, they said they
did not. 2) I have asked at least two businesses who
do the actual filming for info on obtaining more
copies of their films, and been totally ignored both
times. (Seems like they'd want to sell more than one
print or two, but...) Any comments from the rest?
Daniel
--- mike engle <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 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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