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 > >