>If I'm not mistaken, the copyright laws were recently changed and the number >of yrs involved increased. ??? > >Julia in Houston, TX > > >>Sharon has brought up a very interesting question in response to my recent >>message concerning copyright laws. I consider this something that many of >you >>might want to be a little clearer on, so, since I use to work for a >publisher, >>I plan to contact some of my coworkers, and to research this question and >will >>publish what I find on the website. This is what Sharon asked me: >> >><<Anne, Do the copyright laws prohibit copying material that is placed in >our >>family research files, even if that information is not published, etc. I >know >>the library has a note on the copy machine regarding copying from books, >but >>the machine is there for that purpose! What about census books. I would >>think that wouldn't have a copyright. Public records that are recorded and >>published wouldn't be copyrighted, is that correct. I am new to researching >>and need to learn all I can. Thanks, Sharon >> >> >> And this is my response to Sharon: >> I never thought about census records being copyrighted...but I do not >think >>they are. I can find out from my company (I am retired from a private >>publisher) who can give me the right answer. However, your public library >>more than likely has a book or two on copyright laws. I used to edit a >>newsletter for one of the craft groups and that was one of the things we >were >>asked about continuously. Check for books on the subject with your >librarian, >>but in the meantime, I will ask the right person at my company about the >laws >>and get back to you. I will probably put this type of thing out on the >Union >>County website for everyone to see. >> Thanks for your question. Since I am writing a book on my family, it is >>pertinent for me to find this information out for myself. Glad you asked >it! >>I will get back to you, but if a month goes by and you have not heard from >me, >>feel free to check with me, because it may be that the answer might not be >>readily forthcoming. Anne >> >> > >