Re: [ARSCLIST] Scanning LP covers

[Joel Ackerman <jrsackerman@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I am an attorney; copyrights is one of my fields.  I won't comment on
specifics such as Joel's project because (a) I don't want to give legal
advice and (b) in any case I don't know what his project is.

Since around 1976, all original materials including artwork and liner notes
is automatically copyrighted on creation.  Prior to 1976 materials generally
(but not always) had to have a copyright notice attached in order to be
considered copyrighted. Many album covers and liner notes had such notices.

Nevertheless, there are certain provisions of the copyright laws that allow
copying without being  liable for royalties.  These are called "fair use"
provisions and their scope can be complicated. See an attorney.

Joel Ackerman
----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Richter <mrichter@xxxxxxx>
To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 7:46 AM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Scanning LP covers


> At 08:24 AM 8/11/2003 +0000, Don Cox wrote:
> >On 11/08/03, Elliott Hancock wrote:
> >
> > > I have been told that album covers were never copyrighted. I am not a
> > > lawyer and the person who provided the information is not a lawyer,
> > > just a folklorist with an incredible memory who has very rarely been
> > > wrong when used as a resource. It would be nice to have some
> > > confirmation but I would settle for the true legal position on album
> > > cover copyrights.
> >
> >Surely any design, artwork or photograph is automatically copyright?
>
> It is under current law.
>
>
> Mike
> mrichter@xxxxxxx
> http://www.mrichter.com/
>