Copyright ©

[snipsnap]

I have some magic lantern slides (circa 1902'ish), some photo prints with crown copyright, glass plate positives (circa 1900-10) and some glass plate negatives (circa 1943) some of which include the King and Queen. How do I stand with the copyright? Can I safely sell copies of these or not?

[silversnapper1]

Unless sold with the plates originally the copyright remains with the original artist. You would need to check who owns the copyright now.

[nick_gray]

I don't think Crown copyright expires, unlike personal copyright (typically 70 years after the death of the creator). To get a definitive answer, I'd suggest contacting the Intellectual Property Office at http://www.ipo.gov.uk/home.htm

HTH

Nick

[snipsnap]

I have now had chance to browse on http://www.ahds.ac.uk/copyrightfaq.htm#faq2 and it says ...

(1)
Artistic Works
Graphic works (painting, drawing, diagram, map, chart, plan, engraving, etching, lithograph, woodcut), Photographs (not part of a moving film), sculpture, collage, works of architecture (buildings and models for buildings), and artistic craftsmanship (e.g. jewelry).
Lifetime of copyright protection: Authors/creators life plus 70 years after death.

(2)
Crown Copyright
All works made by Her Majesty or by an officer or servant of the Crown in the course of his or her duties
Lifetime of copyright protection: Published work: 50 years from the end of the year when first published. Unpublished work:125 years beyond the year it was created

This information would suggest that the copyright has expired on some of my list. Just in case, how would I be able to track down the holders of the copyright or check (in the case of Crown copyright) if a work has been published?