Is it OK to use material from the 1940's and 50's in my book?

[invisibleflash]

I want to put a scan from an article in a 1945 Popular Photography article and an article from a 1950's Popular Mechanics article. Do you think there would be a copyright problem?

Thanks

[Tin Can]

Posted here it may qualify as fair use educational.

[Oren Grad]

IANAL, but you cannot assume that the copyrights from the 1940s and '50s have expired. Also, if you intend to use the entire articles rather than just excerpting small portions for comment, you may well exceed fair-use limits. Best to consult someone who actually knows copyright law.

[Bob Salomon]

Why not just contact both Pops and ask for permission?

[IanG]

If it's an academic book then yes you can use small sections, not whole articles or chapters though as long as you cite the reference and give full credits.

Ian

[Light Guru]

I want to put a scan from an article in a 1945 Popular Photography article and an article from a 1950's Popular Mechanics article. Do you think there would be a copyright problem?

And use them for what? Use has a LOT to do with weather or not its ok to use them.

[invisibleflash]

IANAL, but you cannot assume that the copyrights from the 1940s and '50s have expired. Also, if you intend to use the entire articles rather than just excerpting small portions for comment, you may well exceed fair-use limits. Best to consult someone who actually knows copyright law.

I'd be using a photo from an article.

[invisibleflash]

Why not just contact both Pops and ask for permission?

Well I could try to contact them. I thought if there was no problem with using them then I wont bother to contact. I didn't know if limitations to copyright came into play.

[invisibleflash]

And use them for what? Use has a LOT to do with weather or not its ok to use them.

I'd be using them for this book in a chapter on historical perspective of IR flash photography.

nsfw

https://danielteolijr.wordpress.com/...rkness-update/


My book is a limited edition, hand-printed artists' book with a 50 book edition. Although the book would have a price on the cover it would be acquired as a donation to public institutions and museum ibraires.

The only thing that would bother me for fair use is the price on the cover, even though it is not being sold. I also may sell some of the books someday. I don't donate all books in the edition. But as of now, I have no plans to sell my books. No one would pay enough that makes it worthwhile to hand-print books.

Other than a price on the cover, the book would fit fair use. Both of the magazines I would like to pull from are on Google Books. I don't know if that means anything. I guess Google takes what it wants anyway, but their use is definitely for educational purposes.

[Jac@stafford.net]

IANAL, but you cannot assume that the copyrights from the 1940s and '50s have expired.

For the general case, Oren is right. If it is Google Books, best check with them.