[Sca-librarians] copyright on scribal artworks

[FV/Rafaella]

Greetings all,

I do this at work everyday but I'd like input from the SCAdian community on this issue. 


I'm the "scribal archives" deputy for AnTir. I manage our LibraryThing account (http://www.librarything.com/home/AnTirCOS) and now I'm tackling inventory/preservation/digitization of our photograph and slide collections. (my copyright credentials include training from Laura Gassaway and being a fan of Kenneth Crews and Lawrence Lessig.)

Here's the big question: If we digitize the photos/slides, can we put them up on the web (without getting anything signed? no one collected any sort of permissions in the past, either from scribes or photographers.)

My inclination is "no" but before I tell that to my superior (and take the time to digitize) I'd like to get my justification in order. I may end up digitizing for preservation (and make sure to include "goes into public domain" notes in the metadata) but maybe it's time to start a "hunt for the scribes and get clearances" project.


The visual arts dillemma of photographer vs. artist-of-the-artifact is what causes me confusion in these situations.

I was speaking with my Laurel (who has her OL in C&I) and she said "but we did these for Kingdom, isn't that like work?" and I said that volunteer art wasn't Work For Hire, but it is an interesting line of thought.

I've roamed through VRA (visual resources assoc) and ARLIS/NA (art libraries) websites, without much luck. The new ARL fair use guidelines* apply to teaching in higher ed, not so much for volunteer educational organizations. :-)

Input appreciated.

--Rafaella

Mestra Rafaella d'Allemtejo, OL
Scribal Archives & Library Deputy
AnTir

*http://www.arl.org/bm~doc/code-of-best-practices-fair-use.pdf
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