Does anyone have info on copyright law?

Whizzer

Whizzer

Gig'em
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
11,613
Points
1,013
Location
NJ to NC to FL
I know I could look at the internet but was wondering if anyone has experience or knowledge of copyright law. I have photocopied service manuals on equipment that is over forty years old and some from companies no longer in business. I would like to sell these items but am curious whether anyone has knowledge of those laws.

At various times, I see people post news articles and wonder if they might be violations of copyright but also wonder what falls into that category on an internet forum? Example, an article from a print media with proper credit given, is that a violation? Or a post containing sections of a news article w/credit given?

:idunno:
 
Copies of obscure manuals are sold on ebay and elsewhere and I've sold copies of hard to find transceiver and speaker manuals from the thirties and forties myself. I don't know the law but I never had a problem.
 
It depends on if the copyright has expired or if the copyright owner cares enough to bother with you. Under the DMCA law the copyright owner must send you a cease and desist order as a first line of action before going to court.

With material this old I'm betting no one cares and wouldn't give you any trouble. That said if you're selling these items you are entering into territory where you could have trouble if the copyright owner showed up and demanded that you stopped.

If they are truly rare I suggest scanning them and then running them through some OCR software to produce a clean digital copy. Once you have that give them away for free. There is a ton of old material like this sitting in work shops and closets that are lost to history everyday. You have a chance here to save something of value for future generations.
 
Figured I would advertise them for what they are, copies, and sell the binder and plastic sleeves protecting them. Will not break up the lot. Appreciate the responses. THANK YOU!
 
I sold mine with the equipment and clearly stated that they were copies.
 
Whizzer said:
Figured I would advertise them for what they are, copies, and sell the binder and plastic sleeves protecting them. Will not break up the lot. Appreciate the responses. THANK YOU!
Click to expand...
worse thing that probably could happen is to get a nasty letter from a lawyer. Who knows, it might not be copyrighted or the copyright has run out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom