9th May 2008, 06:26 PM
One thing that has slightly concerned me regarding copyright is the use and reproduction of original documentary sources. This seems like a very grey area as the copyright owner is often totally unknown and several organisations (ahem!) regularly and as standard reproduce, for example, sections of Tithe Maps in DBAs. Not to mention that some libraries are so terrified about letting people copy parts of OS maps (the OS are allegedly quite keen on sueing for copyright infringement, but I doubt this has ever been due to a library allowing a photocopy!) that they won't let you take a copy if it is for 'commercial' purposes, even if you have an OS licence to reproduce maps, because they claim it isn't their copyright to give away. Anyway, as all of the record offices now insist on forms being filled out that say you won't reproduce items (especially if it's for 'commercial' use) etc it's started to become a bit worrying. I, probably wrongly assume, that as the reports are not published it doesn't really matter (in the same way that it wouldn't for a student writing an essay or a dissertation and including copies of pictures etc) because it isn't published but who knows!?