Fine Print Collection
Rights and Restrictions Information
Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., 20540-4730
The Fine Print Collection contains original prints by American
and foreign artists and printmakers active from 15th century to
the present (excepting Japanese prints made
pre-1915). The use of images in this collection may be restricted.
Access: Permitted; subject to P&P policy on serving
originals, which requires the use of digital surrogates in lieu
of originals, when available.
Reproduction (photocopying, hand-held camera copying,
photoduplication and other forms of copying allowed by "fair
use"): Permitted:
subject to P&P policy on copying which prohibits photocopying of original
fine prints.
Publication and other forms of distribution: May
be restricted.
Online catalog records for fine prints include all legible information
found on the item related to copyright, such as the name of the
copyright claimant. When such information is available, patrons
are advised to conduct a copyright search to determine if a copyright
was registered and is still in effect. The addresses of such parties,
and an indication of the status of their works (to the extent known
by the Library), are provided online on the Rights
and Restrictions Information page under the artist's name.
However, many fine prints lack sufficient information to determine
copyright status. Sometimes patrons can derive clues from the image
itself about the artist or the printer, and this information can
then be used in a copyright search. Patrons who wish to show that
a reasonable effort was made to determine copyright status may wish
to request a copyright search and retain any supplied report for
their records.
When explicit rights information is lacking, patrons must conduct
a "risk analysis" to determine appropriate use of an image.
This involves coupling a knowledge of rights principles (such as
duration of copyright, and the definition of "published"
works) with the risk associated with the intended use (i.e. educational
or commercial) and making and documenting for the user's records
a decision about whether or not use is appropriate.
The Division's reference aid, " General Information about
Copyright and Other Restrictions Which Apply to Publication and
Other Forms of Distribution of Images: Sources for Information,"
found online at /rr/print/195_copr.html
may be of assistance in determining the appropriate use of a fine
print.
Credit Line: Library of Congress, Prints &
Photographs Division, [reproduction number, e.g., LC-USZ62-90145]
For more information, please read: Copyright
and Other Restrictions: ... Sources for Information
Prepared by: Prints and Photographs Division staff. Last revised: Dec.
27, 2002.
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