Copyright Research Services and Copyright Articles Available

Cliff Lamere    8 Feb 2006

Articles:

1)  Copyright History and the Rights of Genealogists  (11 page published article including 1 page of endnotes)

2)  Short papers on copyright subjects.  When I wrote these, I could not find the same information anywhere online.

Research Services:

   Copyright questions answered

Copyright Articles ($3 to $8 postpaid)

1)  Copyright History and the Rights of Genealogists   (published; $8 postpaid in U.S.)

Table of Contents

Introduction

What is Copyright?

The Purpose of Copyright

1790 Copyright Act + Revisions

1909 Copyright Act

1976 Copyright Act

Berne Convention Implementation Act of 1988

1992 Copyright Renewal Act

The Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998

Unlimited Use of Publications in the Public Domain

Some Copyright Requirements under the 1909 Copyright Act

Some Copyright Changes under the 1976 Copyright Act

Effects of the 'Sonny Bono' Copyright Term Extension Act

Court Decisions Concerning Compilations Had Been Faulty

Feist Publications, Inc. versus Rural Telephone Service Co.

Sweat of the Brow

Who Can Claim a Copyright?

What are the Rights of the Copyright Owner?

Fair Use

Some Rights of Genealogists

Comments

Endnotes

Although it may seem from the table of contents that the rights of genealogists were shortchanged in this 11 page article, I always had the rights of genealogists as well as authors in mind while writing the historical portion.  The sections at the end of the article address many questions not answered earlier in the article.  A genealogist who wants to put online or republish a complete book or article that was published in a certain year long ago, or who wants to use long excerpts from those sources, must understand the laws affecting the publications of that time period.  

This article is clearly written and makes a complicated subject as easy to understand as is possible.  In terms of answering questions that genealogists have, it goes far beyond anything that I have seen on the internet.  You can read U.S. Copyright Office publications online, but you won't understand them.  It is very difficult to apply the publications to the situation for which you might seek an answer.  People or webpages may quote from Copyright Office publications, but they seldom try to give the meaning of the quote (mostly because they don't know its real meaning either).  You will understand my article.  Because of its length, it cannot cover all topics.  If there is a special topic that interests you, you can email me to see if it is included.

2)  The following articles are 1-2 pages each.  The price of each is $4 postpaid, or $3 each if ordered with the article above.

Professionally Taken Photographs, New and Old - Are they Copyrighted?   

Photographs That Were Taken Privately, New and Old  - Are They Copyrighted?

Newspaper Obituaries - Are they Copyrighted?  Can I Use Them?

Old Letters - Are They Copyrighted?  

Copyright questions answered

Copyright is a very complex subject.  When I was asked to write the article Copyright History and the Rights of Genealogists for publication, I had no idea that it would require six months of almost daily reading, rereading, and writing before I could understand and write with confidence on the subject.  So many statements on the U.S. Copyright Office website seemed simple and clear.  However, when these statements were applied to specific situations they sometimes led to conclusions that were incorrect.  

A 28 year copyright term at one time in the 20th century was one year longer than at another time.  It was still called the same thing, but it was measured differently.  This was the sort of thing that made it so difficult to write an article in which I could have complete confidence in its accuracy.  Six months is a long time to be researching and thinking about one subject.  This has led to my having a knowledge of many facets of the copyright law as well as having opinions about what is the most legal course of action on some subjects that have not been tested in the courts.  

Since most genealogical questions are not directly covered in the copyright laws and few have been tested in the court system, hardly anyone writes about them or will give you an opinion about them.  I have opinions on many of the subjects that affect genealogists.  If I don't think that I can give you a satisfactory answer, I won't charge a fee.

FEE:  $20 for up to 2 hours of time, includes research and writing a detailed letter or email answering your question.

Research I Will Do For You

Gardenier Research  - researching Gardenier, Gardinier, Gordinier, Gaudineer, Guardenier, and similar surnames

Gardenier Certificates  - a list of over 200 marriage and death certificates I own.  For sale or trading.

Vital Records Certificates  - determining the place and date of birth, marriage or death.  Also, applying for

                                                 a certificate so that you will get it in less than a month.  I specialize in Gardenier

                                                 spellings, but I will research other surnames as well.

Copyright  (this webpage)  - I will answer your copyright questions.  I also have inexpensive articles for sale.

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Visitors since 8 Feb 2006