well anyone who has had photographs done by Olin Mills had better read the "fine print" on the contract ... although I personally have never heard/read about them going after anyone ... it is written in a way that they do hold the copyright on the "proofs" :( which is what a lot of people I had known, ended up buying "the proofs", and when they tried to get copies/reprints done else where, more cheaper [less expensively] ... some to most were not too successful usually and or had trouble finding someone welling to make copies/enlargements ... I had experienced trouble once even trying to get copies made of a photo that was on an old postcard several years ago, even after "much searching" to discover that the photographer of the original was dead, and his company/business hadn't been in existence for years ... now with the advances in technology, making equipment, quality and prices within the reach of many, most are likely to take matters into their own hands ... and a good number of amateurs can do just as good as the professionals :) not say it's right or wrong ... but the temptation is there :) Ken - > [Original Message] > From: Paul Drake <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Date: 12/11/2005 1:21:44 PM > Subject: Re: [VAROOTS] Fw: copyrights, "Fair Use", and genealogy > > I would bet a lot (were I a gambler) that Olin Mills has not copyrighted any portrait of their customers for MANY years, if ever. When we did that article, I checked the case reports and records of the copyright office rather widely and found not a single such copyright of other than their own people. > > The copyright law does NOT provide a blanket protection for such as future photos or even future writings. They have protection for their logo and nothing more; we can not gain protection for books we may one day write. > > Paul Drake JD > Genealogist & Author > <www.DrakesBooks.com> > 931-484-9129 > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Kenny Hedgpeth > To: [email protected] > Sent: Sunday, December 11, 2005 2:00 PM > Subject: RE: [VAROOTS] Fw: copyrights, "Fair Use", and genealogy > > > > I have always wondered about those Olin Mills photos that numerious people > put on their personal web sites :) > > obviously IF I was to post one of those, [which I haven't yet] but I sure > as heck would crop the picture so as to not show the companies name ... > which does indicate their copyright ... > > Ken - > > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx

Maybe that explains why the church photographer that was hired wanted to charge so much for the proofs to my mom. But he would not let her order photos without buying the proofs she said, I dont understand that., She did get one photo, not sure what it cost. christy