Am confused about old books and copyright laws
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Original Post
It seems logical that it is OK to use vintage books for cutting up to make collages with. I could presumably cut out a picture and paste it on cardboard and make a journal out of it right?
I have a 3 year old book which is a graphic design "sample" catalogue which clients would peruse to see an artist's work and decide which artist they like best. It states that the contents of the book is copyrighted (naturally) by the artists.
My question is this: If I don't reproduce the artwork, can I cut it out and paste it on cardboard and make a journal out of it? (for sale in my store of course.)
If it is not OK, why? I thought I read once that copyrights expire after 40 or 50 years or something. Does anyone know if this is true?
Posted at 22:18 30 Aug, 2008 EDT
Responses
not sure, but I'd be interested to know the answer. I've used images that are supposedly 'in the public domain', but I'm not totally sure that they are.
Posted at 22:19 30 Aug, 2008 EDT
Most copyrights do expire eventually, but a three year old book would be nowhere near that date.
Posted at 22:25 30 Aug, 2008 EDT
If you are using the original, i.e. a front from a greeting card, you are not copying it but re-using the original. How does that equate with copy-right?
Its only the equivalent (for example) of using beads made by someone else to make a piece of jewellery as opposed to copying the design of those beads.
Posted at 22:34 30 Aug, 2008 EDT
Here you go!
* Published before 1923 - now in public domain
* Published from 1923 to 1963 - When published with a copyright notice © or "Copyright [dates] by [author/owner]" - copyright protection lasts 28 years and could be renewed for an additional 67 years for a total of 95 years. If not renewed, now in public domain.
* Published from 1923 to 1963 - When published with no notice - now in public domain
* Published from 1964 to 1977 - When published with notice - copyright protection lasts 28 years for first term; automatic extension of 67 years for second term for a total of 95 years.
* Created before 1/1/1978 but not published - copyright notice is irrelevant - copyright protection lasts for the life of author and 70 years or 12/31/2002, whichever is greater
* Created before 1/1/1978 and published between 1/1/1978 and 12/31/2002 - notice is irrelevant - copyright protecion lasts the life of author and 70 years or 12/31/2047, whichever is greater
* Created 1/1/1978 or after - When work is fixed in tangible medium of expression - notice is irrelevant - copyright protecion lasts for the life of author and 70 years based on the the longest living author if jointly created or if work of corporate authorship, works for hire, or anonymous and pseudonymous works, the shorter of 95 years from publication, or 120 years from creation.
Posted at 22:37 30 Aug, 2008 EDT
Long story short, you're safe if it's 70 years after the death of the artist.
Posted at 22:38 30 Aug, 2008 EDT
I guess that is what I don't understand fully. If something is copyrighted, does that just mean that you can't copy it? Period. Plain and simple? Can you still use it for monetary gain as long as you don't copy it?
Posted at 22:40 30 Aug, 2008 EDT