Discussion
Good morning,
I wonder if anybody could help me with a couple of questions that I have around copyright. I have read up on it, but have got slightly confused.
By way of background, I have my grandfathers handwritten memoirs from his time in Afghanistan between 1919 and 1922. He always carried a camera, and there are a lot of photographs. He wrote them up into two A4 notebooks and put the photos in where appropriate. This was in the 70’s and I don’t think it has been seen for many years and certainly not published.
I have since typed up all the notes and scanned and pasted the photos into a document.
I am looking to have them made into a hard back book by one of the on line printing offerings. (So far, Mixam is probably my choice).
I will probably go for two books to reflect the way they were written, but they will fit into one. At present, my only intention is to print up 5-10 copies, and lend them to a few family members who knew him and a couple of close friends who will have an interest in the subject matter. (All UK).
As I understand it, my grandfather has the copyright until 2050, i.e. 70 years after his death. I think this applies to the photos, but I did see that there could be exceptions where photos are concerned.
I would like to add something about copyright in the book (I know I don’t have to) My questions are;
1. Should I add my grandfather s name after “Copyright”, and put in 2022 as I expect the books to be printed this year.
2. Should I add a wording to the effect of “All rights reserved”.
3. Whilst my grandfather wrote about his time in Afghanistan, he does go into a bit of history. I have a concern (slight) that he may have quoted from other books in these sections, but I have no way of knowing. (I’m inclined to think he read up on the subject and then wrote his own words) Can somebody come back against me on this and if so what is my remedy.
4. Similarly, there are a few sketch maps of the regions. There is nothing to say what the source is and I have tried to look online but found nothing the same. What happens if I am wrong.
5. He refers to his various colleagues and officers by name and has pictures of them. They will have passed away long ago. I can’t see any reason not to include them, but wonder if I have missed anything?
On a separate not, when is a book considered “published” is it the date it was printed, or the date it was put into the public domain. If the latter, would sharing with a few family and friends constitute “publishing
Many thanks in advance for any help or advice that is offered.
I wonder if anybody could help me with a couple of questions that I have around copyright. I have read up on it, but have got slightly confused.
By way of background, I have my grandfathers handwritten memoirs from his time in Afghanistan between 1919 and 1922. He always carried a camera, and there are a lot of photographs. He wrote them up into two A4 notebooks and put the photos in where appropriate. This was in the 70’s and I don’t think it has been seen for many years and certainly not published.
I have since typed up all the notes and scanned and pasted the photos into a document.
I am looking to have them made into a hard back book by one of the on line printing offerings. (So far, Mixam is probably my choice).
I will probably go for two books to reflect the way they were written, but they will fit into one. At present, my only intention is to print up 5-10 copies, and lend them to a few family members who knew him and a couple of close friends who will have an interest in the subject matter. (All UK).
As I understand it, my grandfather has the copyright until 2050, i.e. 70 years after his death. I think this applies to the photos, but I did see that there could be exceptions where photos are concerned.
I would like to add something about copyright in the book (I know I don’t have to) My questions are;
1. Should I add my grandfather s name after “Copyright”, and put in 2022 as I expect the books to be printed this year.
2. Should I add a wording to the effect of “All rights reserved”.
3. Whilst my grandfather wrote about his time in Afghanistan, he does go into a bit of history. I have a concern (slight) that he may have quoted from other books in these sections, but I have no way of knowing. (I’m inclined to think he read up on the subject and then wrote his own words) Can somebody come back against me on this and if so what is my remedy.
4. Similarly, there are a few sketch maps of the regions. There is nothing to say what the source is and I have tried to look online but found nothing the same. What happens if I am wrong.
5. He refers to his various colleagues and officers by name and has pictures of them. They will have passed away long ago. I can’t see any reason not to include them, but wonder if I have missed anything?
On a separate not, when is a book considered “published” is it the date it was printed, or the date it was put into the public domain. If the latter, would sharing with a few family and friends constitute “publishing
Many thanks in advance for any help or advice that is offered.
Copyright doesn't actually need to be spelled out , or registered , it being implicit that the author owns the text unless(as is usual in works published by publishing houses ) it has been sold to a third party. It doesn't do any harm to say you own the copyright - BTW are you happy that you do own the rights in the work, was it left to you in his estate ? If not ,do clear it with the person who does . (I speak from experience on this - a member of my family got into a furious spat with a relative who wished to publish my late mother's war letters. )
Don't worry about quoting other stuff (something I've done extensively in the three books I have written )- just don't reproduce long extracts or , eg, a complete poem. You can also use those weasel words 'copyright acknowledged ' .
There is no issue with using photographs of people , or using their names , without consent (or their successors ) as long as you yourself own the rights to the photos .
Unless your work becomes immensely popular , nobody is likely to take any exception to it in any case , and since the internet, copyright itself has become a bit of paper tiger unless you have a valuable asset and a team of IP lawyers to protect it !
BTW, it might be useful to remember that dead people cant sue for libel or slander - so if any juicy character assassinations appear ,the relatives of the subjects may be pissed off but they can't sue you .
Don't worry about quoting other stuff (something I've done extensively in the three books I have written )- just don't reproduce long extracts or , eg, a complete poem. You can also use those weasel words 'copyright acknowledged ' .
There is no issue with using photographs of people , or using their names , without consent (or their successors ) as long as you yourself own the rights to the photos .
Unless your work becomes immensely popular , nobody is likely to take any exception to it in any case , and since the internet, copyright itself has become a bit of paper tiger unless you have a valuable asset and a team of IP lawyers to protect it !
BTW, it might be useful to remember that dead people cant sue for libel or slander - so if any juicy character assassinations appear ,the relatives of the subjects may be pissed off but they can't sue you .
Edited by coppice on Wednesday 2nd November 17:43
Thanks for the reply, it helps with the way forward.
On the subject of who owns it, my grandfather died in 1980 and these were not specifically mentioned in his will. All of his property and possessions passed to my grandmother under a general wording in the will. Similarly, my grandmother left everything to my mother who was an only child, and when she died everything was left to my brother and I.
My brother is aware and supportive of what I am doing, but if its acceptable I would be happy to put both our names next to the copyright.
Once again many thanks
Nick
On the subject of who owns it, my grandfather died in 1980 and these were not specifically mentioned in his will. All of his property and possessions passed to my grandmother under a general wording in the will. Similarly, my grandmother left everything to my mother who was an only child, and when she died everything was left to my brother and I.
My brother is aware and supportive of what I am doing, but if its acceptable I would be happy to put both our names next to the copyright.
Once again many thanks
Nick
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