No doubt this has been hashed out before but I've not found anything explicit on this subject. I am wondering if any consensus has been reached in the museum field.
The copyright law says that works published before 1923 are in the public domain. For the purposes of museum objects, what constitutes publication? Does public exhibition of a unique work satisfy the publication requirement? What about publication of an image of a unique work in a catalogue or brochure or periodical prior to 1923? Do print editions constitute publication? Are mass-produced objects (furniture, utensils, clocks, etc.) created for retail sales considered published? What if these items were designed by someone not working for hire, whose death date is 1935 or later? There are undoubtedly many other related questions, but perhaps that is enough for now. If any of you are subscribed to the RARIN list (there is one, right?) would you consider posting my query there with a request to send responses directly to me? I would be happy to post a synopsis to MCN-L later. Will Real Carnegie Museum of Art --- You are currently subscribed to mcn_mcn-l as: rlancefi...@mail.wesleyan.edu To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-mcn_mcn-l-12800...@listserver.americaneagle.com
