Accused Of Copyright Infringement For Reprinting Images Produced In 630 A.D.
from the what-public-domain? dept
Over the years, we've heard tons of stories of professional printers refusing to print certain images because they're concerned about being accused of copyright infringement. This tends to create a huge nuisance for people who have a legitimate right to have things printed, but it gets absolutely, positively ridiculous when it involves material that is quite obviously in the public domain. Long time Techdirt community member Rose M. Welch sends in this ridiculous personal experience:I'm working on an educational paper about medieval illumination and needed about a dozen full-color sheets with examples printed up to go with the paper. I called several local printers, found one who could print them today, and e-mailed her my documents.And, just because we can, because it's public domain, here's an image from the Book of Kells, pulled from Wikipedia.
The documents in question feature anywhere from one to six pieces from various illuminated manuscripts on each sheet, including some bits from the famous Book of Kells. The largest image is comprised of a full scan of the original manuscript, but printed in less than half of the size of the original piece (something like 6" x 8") and the smallest are six 2.5" x 2.5" chunks showing specific detailing from five different manuscripts on a single page.
These manuscripts were created between 600 and 900 A.D. and are firmly in the public domain. Even if they were not, printing pages and cutout bits from pages for an educational paper almost certainly constitutes fair use, which the printer had never heard of.
Seriously. No joke. What is the world coming to?"
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Filed Under: book of kells, copies, copyright, public domain
Reader Comments
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Patience
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Re: Patience
Yes, I know it was sarcasm, just felt like being snarky.
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Re: Patience
I am calling my congress person now to get it going!!! I am guessing the current US stance on world wide copyright will make it easy to ignore the fact that this country didn't even exist when they were created, so ICE get those police raids setup ASAP!
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Re: Patience
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Not surprised
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wait for it...
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Day 3
Day 21: Court orders Vatican to produce God for deposition.
Day 30: Court dismisses case, as sanction for failing to produce God for deposition.
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Re: Day 3
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fun side effect of God not being limited to the same subset of dimensions as we are (if any).
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The good thing there is that God wins all intellectual properties cases since he/she/it is all knowing so God must have thought of it first.
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We can *assume* it (since otherwise the rest of the story makes no sense), but why leave that part out? As it stands, the story goes:
1. Rose asked a printer to print some documents for her
2. ???
3. The documents were public domain (why does this matter?)
4. The printer had never heard of fair use (why does this matter?)
3 & 4 are only interesting if the printer refused to print the documents at step 2 due to copyright concerns. Hence why I suspected an editing error, with the context of the original quote being lost somewhere along the way.
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Where is Rose on all of this anyway? It is her story after all.
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I stopped going to that after Fanboi Strokefest 1991, when the special guest was Edward Scissorhands. Boy, was that a painful mistake!
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Anyway, the woman in question was not the clerk. She was the owner of the print shop, which makes it so much worse, imho.
As for the series of events, she called me back after viewing what I'd sent her and told me that she couldn't print them. During the course of the conversation, I explained that these items were in the public domain and that even if they weren't, this would constitute fair use. She'd never heard of either and still refused to print them. At this point, I e-mailed Techdirt.
After that, I e-mailed them to Staples, who printed them without comment but made me sign a short form saying that I was responsible for any infringement before I could pick them up. The same form was posted on their counter and by the DIY copiers, though, so I think that was just their standard practice.
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The documents themselves may be in the public domain, but are those particular scans?
After all, didn't we have someone on here just the other day point out that photographers and photo copy machine operators are about on the same level, and as such, a photograph or a scan of a document could be consider copyright, at least a "thin" copyright?
Rose, where did you get the images you are using from?
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The source is not at issue, the content itself is.
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Basically, did She show up at the copy store with a book that is copyright, and ask them to copy pages from it?
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Emphasis mine.
The only book mentioned is the Book of Kells which was first printed in 800 or earlier.
If she had copied from any current work, she still would have been within fair use because she would not have been copying a substantial portion of the copyrighted work as she was only using images and scans of public domain works.
Why must you try to find fault with all cases of fair use being blocked by over zealous copyright police?
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...cue the corporate propaganda
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Until then, we will continue to operate under the idea that works created prior to 1923 are in the public domain and can be copied and redistributed as many times as people want.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridgeman_Art_Library_v._Corel_Corp.
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Not in the U.S. anyway (or most countries, I believe).
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Doesn't matter. Look up Bridgeman vs. Corel.
Might matter in the UK, but in the US... doesn't matter.
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UK Copyright
There are some exceptions, retained from the 1956 Act, that get around this to some extent, but they are permissive exceptions rather than rules taking the work out of copyright.
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Re: UK Copyright
I think you must be referring to the provision for a 25 year copyright for the first publishing of a previously unpublished work. It is not clear to me that the Book of Kells would count as unpublished anyway - but even so the book was published in facsimile in 1951 and 1974 so even that copyright is now definitely expired.
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A photograph of a public domain image (painting, etching, tapestry) unless transformative (shot from a unique angle, impossible for a flat piece of art or relit, which would defeat the purpose of the image in this case) is still pd.
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Did the printer refuse? I'm assuming that's the case but can't find it stated anywhere.
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Sorry for not being clearer. I was in a huge hurry, and dealing with morons. :P
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However, assuming that was just just an unintended omission, and the printer did actually refuse to print the images, I agree that that's a bad thing.
However, I suspect that sensationalist and often misleading stories about supposedly ridiculous cases of copyright enforcement(e.g., many TD stories) encourage rather than discourage this type of negative, overly-cautious behavior.
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At any rate, this is not just some "ooh, here's a way I can slip in a dig" thing. I seriously believe that TD routinely posts misleading articles, and that a substantial numbers of readers take those mischaracterizations at face value, contributing to a warped view of IP law (and other subjects).
I often post here about specific mischaracterizations or misstatements (not just from Mike or other TD authors, but commenters as well, including other ACs), but this story provided an opportunity to discuss misperceptions of copyright law in general.
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Ad hominem circumstantial points out that someone is in circumstances such that he is disposed to take a particular position. Ad hominem circumstantial constitutes an attack on the bias of a source. This is fallacious because a disposition to make a certain argument does not make the argument false.
The circumstantial fallacy applies only where the source taking a position is only making a logical argument from premises that are generally accepted. Where the source seeks to convince an audience of the truth of a premise by a claim of authority or by personal observation, observation of their circumstances may reduce the evidentiary weight of the claims, sometimes to zero."
It was nothing but a cheapshot. Just admit it, it's ok.
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Re: “This is fallacious because a disposition to make a certain argument does not make the argument false.”
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Re: Re: “This is fallacious because a disposition to make a certain argument does not make the argument false.”
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It was nothing but a poorly-grounded attack on a criticism of Mike. Just admit it, it's ok.
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Here's a crazy thought. Perhaps we read what Mike writes, then read what you write, and make up our own damn minds which one of you is correct. Thanks for implying that a substantial number of Techdirt readers are too stupid to do that.
Of course you and many of the commenters that disagree with everything Mike says leave the very distinct impression that you have undisclosed vested interests in the IP world, and that's hardly going to make people more likely to believe what you say.
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Groove Tiger: When Mike does it to someone else, it's a zinger or scoring points. When anyone else does it to Mike, it's a cheap shot?
I love the double standard.
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Again, just a cheap shot a commenters' intelligence.
I'm curious, if I aggressively agreed with everything you said, would that make me an ally or blind to anything except your word?
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Perhaps both.
I'll note that, as someone who is deemed "Anonymous Coward," I believe I often get a lot of backlash based not entirely on the content of my posts, but due to lingering animosity toward one or two other Anonymous Cowards.
In my opinion, that type of inherent prejudice, whether it's for/against Mike(or any other regular contributor) or for/against a particular Anonymous Coward doesn't really speak well of commenters' intelligence (although I suppose it could be attributed to laziness rather than intelligence).
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(It's actually easier for me to troll when I'm logged in)
I'm often critical of Mike. In fact, I'm writing up something about that right now.
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What I don't get is why you come here and post your comments across articles when you believe that everything here is wrong, lies, distortions and etc ?
I mean really... I don't go to Fox News or Sean Hannity's site and argue with people and nitpick postings because there'd be no point in it. All it is at that point is an ego trip. Why do you waste your precious time and pearls of wisdom on us benighted and brain-damaged cavemen?
It's this continued and sustained effort on your part that makes people question your motives and dismiss what you have to say. Either you're an ego-tripping masochist or a industry shill, or you've got a personal grudge against Mike... using your own "logical" approach.
It's you who seems to be one of the most "aggressive posters in comments" so I guess that makes you "blind to anything except the word of Mike."
Care to try using your brain again? It might work a little better next time, though judging from your long-term performance here I wouldn't bet on it.
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You pretty much nailed it. My favorite part is how he accuses Mike and everyone here of his own behavior. How he does it without feeling foolish is beyond me.
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highly exasperating, at best, for those who notice it and have to deal with them.
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I'm not the person you responded to, but I'll put forth my answer, since I'm in a similar boat and that's really the point of my comment that started a cavalcade of responses in this thread.
I don't think Mike is wrong about everything, but I do think he (and other contributors) routinely exaggerate and/or misrepresent things. I think this contributes to widespread misunderstanding of subjects that I am interested in (most often intellectual property, but also other subjects).
I try to shed light and correct misperceptions, because I enjoy doing that.
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You are one of the most aggressive poster here aren't you?
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Are you stating that I am not aggressive? or that I am not the norm? See fallacious and specious comments can work against you.
Why do you think so many of them end up being "contributors"? As soon as Mike finds someone who swallows the kool-aid whole, they get put on staff.
Interestingly the colour of your snowflake reflects the amount of implied jealousy that you are showing.
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Proven - really - you obviously don't understand the meaning of the word.
(And btw I can give counter examples that would refute any proof you might think you have)
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I'm not saying the other AC is right in his claim, but if you take a restrictive view of what can be called "proven," you are making a claim that would appear to me hard to support.
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since you (or the other AC) have defined the "most aggressive posters" you would have the responsibility of identifying them. Once one of you does that I'll find the requisite counter examples.
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Seems odd (and risky) to claim that you have counter examples of something when you don't even know what that something is yet.
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Nothing crazy about that thought. Not sure why you would think otherwise.
Here's the thing, though. In my experience, a substantial majority of TD commenters take Mike's word at face value, but require irrefutable proof before considering the mere possibility that someone who criticizes Mike's work might know what he/she is talking about.
Of course, you seem to support that type of prejudice, so whether or not you are "too stupid" to make up your own mind, you might have a hard time reaching an accurate and supportable conclusion.
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I think you're exaggerating, but some of the effect you see is when a reader has followed Mike for a long time and found that he generally backs up his positions with references and research, and makes a lot of sense. Then some anonymous (not even psedonymous so a reputation can be established) person says something contradictory that doesn't sound right or plausible. Naturally it is going to be challenged.
That does not mean Mike's word is taken as gospel, or that ACs are automatically shouted down. It just means his assertions sometimes carry more weight than yours. That is just something you'll have to deal with for at least as long as you don't put a name to your posts. I think you'l get a fair shake most of the time if you disagree reasonably and provide evidence when you can.
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First, I find that Mike creates an illusion of supporting his statements, but such facial support is often quite weak. For example, he includes many links to documents, but those documents often do not actually say what he says they say (or at least are subject to differing interpretations).
Second, I don't think it's natural to challenge someone's assertion simply because you don't know who they are, especially if you don't have an independent basis for believing their assertion is mistaken.
"I think you'l get a fair shake most of the time if you disagree reasonably and provide evidence when you can."
Not sure about "most of the time" but I do find that after rigorously supporting statements I make, sometimes, some regulars are willing to admit that someone else (Mike, another regular, another contributor, another Internet folk hero) might have made a mistake. Of course, it's frustrating that it takes numerous posts worth of supported work to contradict something someone else just says offhand without any support.
Nobody owes me any sort of deference, but you'd think people might question the deference they give to someone else just because they know his name (or Internet moniker).
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Second, I don't think it's natural to challenge someone's assertion simply because you don't know who they are
What I said, emphasis added: "Then some anonymous... person says something contradictory that doesn't sound right or plausible.
you'd think people might question the deference they give to someone else just because they know his name (or Internet moniker).
What I said: "when a reader has followed Mike for a long time and found that he generally backs up his positions with references and research, and makes a lot of sense."
Those are really important parts you left out: I'm talking about arguments from one person with a reputation (deserved or otherwise, you can certainly disagree) for being careful and sensible, against someone with no identity or reputation saying something that rings false in some way. Not simply someone you've heard of versus someone you haven't, as you rephrased it.
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For example, you've spent quite a bit of real-estate explaining how you think some subset of techdirt posters is close-minded and will never see your side. Ergo, you have dismissed any of their posts as valid regardless of content (a close-minded, ad hom view). At the very least you are not considering that each and every post may contain analysis that is valid at least to the individual.
Me, I like to judge every post on its own and not try to categorize the poster. One thing that will close my mind though? Personal attacks and superiority complexes.
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Um, what? What you said after "ergo" does not follow from what you said before "ergo."
If you take a look at the very post you replied to, I acknowledged the validity of some points the other poster was making, despite some disagreements between us.
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This isn't something just you struggle with--it is a common cognitive fallacy, but it comes out very strongly in your postings above.
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"a substantial numbers of readers take those mischaracterizations at face value, contributing to a warped view of IP law"
I don't know if its just the word "categorize" that you don't like, but the above text takes a group of people and makes a generalization about them that is founded in opinion and not fact. Category, generalization, whatever word works for you.
This indicates to me that you filter any dissent to your posted opinion through these perspectives, dismissing them as being biased before deciding if they are grounded in anything valid. That seems to me that would make it very difficult to fairly consider whether or not you might be incorrect yourself. If you aren't considering that possibility, then debate is pointless--no facts or arguments will ever sway or enlighten you.
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Quite a logical leap, if you ask me.
The fact that have distinguished in this thread between statements from this group of X people that I believe have merit and those that do not, would seem to show that I don't dismiss all such statements out of hand, but I guess that's not good enough to contradict your opinions of me.
I believe we have similar views of what constitutes reasoned debate and conversation (at least based on your statements). But I'm having a hard time understanding why you seem to believe my posts indicate I am not practicing these views myself.
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Assuming this is true, if you go to freerepublic.com (a website for rabidly partisan Republicans/conservatives), I suspect you would agree that a substantial majority is not willing to consider valid propositions that contradict the conservative/Republican worldview. In addition, or in the alternative, if you go to dailykos.com (a website for rabidly partisan Democrats/liberals/progressives), I suspect you would agree that a substantial majority is not willing to consider valid propositions that contradict the Democratic/liberal/progressive worldview.
My point is that (a) I'm not talking about "everyone," (b) I'm talking about a limited population that congeals around a particular worldview, and (c) it is not at all "crazy" to observe that in such a limited population a substantial majority simply refuses to accept/consider arguments/propositions that contradict that worldview.
ya dig?
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It's just a turn of phrase. Jeez...
"In my experience, a substantial majority of TD commenters take Mike's word at face value, but require irrefutable proof before considering the mere possibility that someone who criticizes Mike's work might know what he/she is talking about."
That's called TRUST. Many long-time readers have come to trust Mike's interpretation of events and the evidence he routinely provides to back up his conclusions. I often read the links he provide and rarely have issue with the way he comments on them.
You on the other hand refuse to comment under a single name, even anonymously, so we have to make an assessment of you one comment at a time. The fact that you won't allow others to see your comment history even in one post makes you seem untrustworthy. You will always have to try much harder to gain trust then someone who comment under a single name. I'm sorry if this perfectly natural human behaviour bother you so much.
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I accept that people have no reason to trust a completely anonymous person. However, I don't believe that means it's reasonable to *distrust* an anonymous person as a default position.
As far as "The fact that you won't allow others to see your comment history even in one post makes you seem untrustworthy." I don't think I understand that. The AC avatars that TD uses are not perfect, but they usually make it not terribly diffcult to discern between ACs in a particular thread in most cases. Although if I happen to continue commenting on a thread using a different IP address that obviously makes a difference.
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Exactly. All the FUD about how hard copyright is leads to people not understanding copyright. You reap what you so, Masnick.
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http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110901/23320615774/forget-wiretapping-laws-now-you-migh t-be-able-to-use-copyright-law-to-stop-anyone-recording-you-ever.shtml
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this is a fail of a "story", where is the story??
mike's headline
"Accused Of Copyright Infringement For Reprinting Images Produced In 630 A.D."
where is the accusation???, where or who reprinted them???
I know mike stands behind his "opinion blog", to say he doesn't really have to tell a "story", he isnt a "journalist"
but your trying very hard to act like one, maybe you should actually try and be more professional about it
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Hmm. She pointed out first that it was a PD document and then noted that, even if it wasn't in the PD, it would be fair use. The fair use argument was meaningless because the image is PD, so that's all I talked about.
I didn't conflate the two. I focused on the key issue, which is the public domain.
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And what does that have to do with the headline, where is the accusation? You are making stuff up and declaring your self correct. td is a joke.
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Which was, I guess, too subtle?
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Which is exactly the way the copyright industry wants it.
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In europe
It's all part of the greed for money that is rampant in our societies. Copyright, patents, you name it; everyone thinks they own something and someone else has to pay. This is much easier than actually working.
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what happened?
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Re: what happened?
Anyway, the woman in question was not the clerk. She was the owner of the print shop, which makes it so much worse, imho.
As for the series of events, she called me back after viewing what I'd sent her and told me that she couldn't print them. During the course of the conversation, I explained that these items were in the public domain and that even if they weren't, these documents would be considered fair use. She'd never heard of either and still refused to print them. At this point, I e-mailed Techdirt.
After that, I e-mailed the exact same documents to Staples, who printed them without comment but made me sign a short form saying that I was responsible for any infringement before I could pick them up. The same form was posted on their counter and by the DIY copiers, though, so I think that was just their standard practice.
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So infringement is the new Communisim??
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Printing company
Of course, print shops have heard of fair use, and the public domain. It doesn't matter. Even the possibility of getting sued will make shops err on the side of caution (i.e. on the side of "we assume everything is copyrighted").
That's because even if a lawsuit is unsuccessful, the print shop will be required to spend resources it simply doesn't have. Even the larger shops barely make any profit at all (and didn't even before the economic crashes of 2001 and 2008).
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Re: Printing company
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Just to clarify
It's a work of art more than a book, so it'll be covered by the copyright stuff that old paintings use, I think. And we've already established that American copyright law doesn't give a toss about that (see http://www.webarnes.ca/2009/07/copyright-on-200-year-old-paintings/) so it depends on where Rose is based.
The Book is kept in Trinity College in Dublin, and the College has a trademark on the name so that they can use it for merchandise or whatever. Profits go back into the College and into the conservation of their collection of old books and manuscripts. As far as I know, they haven't claimed any copyright on the Book itself.
The facsimiles are perfect reproductions so they're not copyrightable, but there was a staggering amount of work put into creating them - they're not something you could just download off the net and print out yourself. Scholarly commentary on the Book is obviously copyrighted by the respective authors.
In short: the printer was probably being over-cautious, and if they didn't recognise the Book of Kells, it's not outside the realm of possibility that they'd refuse to print it in case it's a modern work. In Ireland, for example, I'm pretty sure any printer would be happy to do it because they'd know it on sight.
This raises the pretty rotten prospect, however, of someone's photos being printed depending on the printer's own knowledge of copyright law/art history/insert esoteric subject here. Anyone who thinks this is alright needs their head examined.
It is not the responsibility of the average person to teach a business about fair use and the public domain in order to avail of their services.
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