-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: Sanborn copyright
Date: Fri, 8 Feb 2013 09:53:14 -0500
From: Cahill, Colleen <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>


Brendan,

   US Copyright is not that straight forward.  There was a major change
in 1978 that effects works produced after that point.  There are also
some additions later, but the up shot is for works published 1-1-1978 or
after:

   "The term of copyright protection of a work made for hire is 95 years
from the date of publication or 120 years from the date of creation,
whichever expires first." - From http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ09.pdf

   There is a very nice US Copyright duration page at
http://www.unc.edu/~unclng/public-d.htm that gives a nice short view of
all the various options.  You will see there are different variations
based on when the item was published/produced.  Whether a Sanborn map is
in the public domain will depend on when it was published and in some
cases, if Sanborn renewed the Copyright.  Our searches have show that
Sanborn did not always renew.

   Perhaps someone from Canada can speak on their Copyright?

Colleen

Colleen R. Cahill
Digital Conversion Coordinator and
     Recommending Officer for Fantasy and Science Fiction
Geography & Map Division
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20540-4650
W: 202-707-8540
Fax: 202-707-8531
[log in to unmask]
These opinions are mine, Mine, MINE!



-----Original Message-----
From: Maps, Air Photo, GIS Forum - Map Librarianship
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Angie Cope, American
Geographical Society Library, UW Milwaukee
Sent: Friday, February 08, 2013 9:02 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Sanborn copyright

-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Re: Sanborn copyright
Date:   Thu, 7 Feb 2013 21:49:32 +0000
From:   Brendan Whyte <[log in to unmask]>
To:     mapsL <[log in to unmask]>



Just a comment from down under, it's interesting to note that while US
government maps are public domain, from the Sanborn comments of late,
private companies seem to have 90 years copyright.

Here in Australia, government (any government, local or
foreign) copyright is 50 years and private companies 70 (increased from
50 in 2005 as part of Australia-US "free"-trade agreement, upon
insistence from the Disney Megacorp), so Sanborn maps held by Australian
institutions would be public domain if published before 1955, and those
from 1955 will become public domain in 2026.

Is there much difference between Canadian and US copyright durations?

Brendan Whyte
National Library of Australia