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Dear YNOTMasters,

Thanks!

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Hello there!

Read these articles on copyright law:

http://www.ynotmasters.com/news/ynews/arch/031600/page4.html

http://www.theadultwebmaster.com/legalcorner/copyright_law_1.phtml

The “loophole” I think they are referring to is a concept known as public domain.ASK YNOT

Dear YNOTMasters,

Thanks!

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Hello there!

Read these articles on copyright law:

http://www.ynotmasters.com/news/ynews/arch/031600/page4.html

http://www.theadultwebmaster.com/legalcorner/copyright_law_1.phtml

The “loophole” I think they are referring to is a concept known as public domain. However, pictures don’t enter the public domain until either:

1) the copyright holder expressly says so, or
2) 75 years after the death of the copyright holder.

So, some vintage photos MAY be part of the public domain, and so may be published without first seeking permission to do so, but you should assume that all photos still receive copyright protection. A minute percentage of vintage photos will actually be in the “public domain”. For example, if photos were taken in 1930 and the copyright holder died in 1930, there is still copyright protection over those photos. I have no idea why some webmasters think 1960 is a magic number, allowing them to publish without permission photos taken before then.

Cheers

YNOTMasters

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