--- Begin Forwarded Message --- Date: Tue, 01 Dec 1998 11:49:08 -0500 From: Raymond Byrnes <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: copyright and Landsat images <fwd> Mr. Winters: The Landsat copyright issue is, indeed, somewhat confusing. Beginning in 1972, the first five Landsats were launched by NASA as ongoing research projects, while a growing number of users, especially within the Federal government, came to use Landsat data in a routine operational mode. Until September of 1985, when Congress determined to see the program commercialized, Landsat data were in the public domain, with no restrictions on making copies. At that time, EOSAT, later replaced by Space Imaging Co. of Thornton, CO, was given exclusive rights to market data from Landsats 4 and 5, both of which were operational (with Landsats 1-3 retired from service). Commercial rights on newly acquired Thematic Mapper (TM) data are retained for ten years, then the data return to the public domain. So, Landsat TM data from the late 1980's are now available from the USGS EROS Data Center at the cost of fulfilling a user's request and with no copyright restrictions. As I recall, all Landsat multispectral scanner (MSS) data rights were returned by EOSAT to the Federal government around in 1992. (The MSS was the original Landsat imaging instrument with a 90-meter ground resolution.) Therefore, copyright restrictions are in place for TM data originally purchased from EOSATor Space Imaging if the data are less than ten years old. Outside of that, as I recall, no restrictions apply. To be safe, in case I have overlooked any exceptions, you can contact Tom Holm at the EROS Data Center (605-594-6960) or Space Imaging (www.spaceimaging.com). Landsat 7, to be launched by NASA in April of 1999, will mark a return of the program to the Federal sector, with data once again available at the cost of fulfilling orders and with no copyright restrictions. Ray Byrnes USGS Liaison Land Satellite Programs (703-648-4787) >>> Johnnie Sutherland <[log in to unmask]> 11/30 5:05 PM >>> --- Begin Forwarded Message --- Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 14:07:25 -0600 (CST) From: christopher winters <[log in to unmask]> Subject: copyright and Landsat images Does anyone have any knowledge of the copyright issues surrounding Landsat data? Landsat data are in some senses products of a U.S. government agency hence ought to free of any kind of copyright restrictions, but of course these data are quite expensive and the agency involved has a peculiar legal status. I am particularly interested in hearing about the legality of allowing purchased Landsat data to be copied. Thanks in advance for any comments. Chris Winters University of Chicago Library [log in to unmask] --- End Forwarded Message --- --- End Forwarded Message ---