Legal Advice

[Dorrena Ortega]

I've acquired some original 35mm slides. They are stamped (c) Matson Publications. There are about 270 slides in boxes labeled The Holy Land. Some may be hand-colored, not sure though. There are plenty of colored photos. I'd like to get them onto the computer and share them giving credit but don't want the copyright police knocking on my door. Does anyone have any experience with this issue?

[Elin (@lluniau)]

Erm...how did you acquire them?!

[Lord Shadow]

Since they are copyrighted works of art, you cannot do anything with them until you get in touch with the copyright holder. I have no idea how you could do this, but I hear Google is pretty good.

With copyrighted works of art you are not allowed to do *anything* with them without permission. Now, for most cases copyrights only exist for 70 years. Do you know how old these slides are?

Although it is certainly nice of you to give credit while posting the photos online, it's still not allowed unfortunately.

[Dorrena Ortega]

@lluniau --- A friend purchased them at a local second-hand store.

@jasonbarnette --- I believe they originated here - http://www.lifeintheholyland.com/

[Elin (@lluniau)]

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound whatyoucallit...I was just curious :)

A bit of info about Eric Matson (1888-1977) here - http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/matpc/colony.html

[Dorrena Ortega]

http://www.moonchildbooks.com/matson3.jpg

http://www.moonchildbooks.com/girlsnun.jpg


Here's a couple of the pictures. My friend put her signature on to protect someone from stealing them online.

[Natalie Durell]

I understand copyright to be with the originator/ photographer for his/her lifetime plus 70 years after.......providing the photographer was not employed by someone else with whom it was legally agreed would own the rights. The lifetime plus 70 years rule definitely applies here in the UK. Hope this helps.

[Dorrena Ortega]

Thanks! I'll try to contact someone.

[Jessica Dowdy]

Maybe you should try to find an expert in the field. You could have something of value.

[Dorrena Ortega]

@sweett --- I'm looking for someone but this is new territory and I don't know how to find an expert.

[Jessica Dowdy]

Yeah when I wrote that, I thought it might be a task.
I've been watching Pawn Stars, where it looks so easy.
All I can say is I wish you well, and I hope to hear how it works out!