We try to use common sense. If we're reproducing an artist's or photographer's work as a big enlargement as part of an exhibtion wall design, we're using that work, in the full sense of the word. We're doing something with it. And we'll get permission and pay. But if we're reproducing something as a small reference image on a wall label -- small on small, let's call it, and definitely didactic -- then we often won't. We've never had a problem resulting from this policy.
On the other hand, we've recently been asked to pay $2260 to reproduce a short quotation (in two languages) from a long poem as part of an exhibition wall design. (Someone wrote away for permission without running it by me first.) This is clealy fair use, and even if it weren't the fee is insane. Amalyah Keshet Head of Image Resources & Copyright Management The Israel Museum, Jerusalem -----Original Message----- From: mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu [mailto:mcn-l-boun...@mcn.edu] On Behalf Of Deborah Wythe Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 10:14 PM To: musip at yahoogroups.com; mcn-l at mcn.edu Cc: ruth.janson at brooklynmuseum.org Subject: [MCN-L] IP: copyrighted images in didactics Hi all, We'd be interested in knowing whether any other museums out there have established a policy or set a precedent on the use of copyrighted images (especially from commercial sources) as contextual illustrations on didactics or wall labels. Do you consider this fair use, or do you acquire permission/pay for rights just as you would for a book? Does the size of the reproduction play into the decision? If people prefer to respond off list, I will summarize without naming names. (I have checked the AAM guide to copyright and the Bielstein book on permissions--though not exhaustively--to no avail.) Many thanks and with apologies for cross posting duplication, Deborah Wythe Brooklyn Museum Digital Collections and Services deborahwythe at hotmail.com _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live: Keep your friends up to date with what you do online. http://windowslive.com/Campaign/SocialNetworking?ocid=PID23285::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:SI_SB_online:082009 _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu) To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l at mcn.edu To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l The MCN-L archives can be found at: http://toronto.mediatrope.com/pipermail/mcn-l/
