Historical Portraits - Where to find legal copies?

[Mod: ebbersmom]

I need pictures of historical figures - Lincoln, Roosevelt, ML King, Mother Teresa, John Wesley, among many that I can legally use. Where does one find these types of pictures? Or is this a search the web and ask permission of each person with the picture I need?

[[Admin] PHugger]

Our Government should have this sort of material on hand somewhere and guess what? You Own It!!!!!!!! My first truly legal project was the tribute I did for the Columbia last year. All the pictures were from NASA - free, no royalties, no hassles,


I'd look on a government site..........






Best regards,
PCH

[David Reddel]

The helmet head is right--- government sites are where you will find treasures (royalty free) that you are looking for!

For example... from the Presidential Library of FDR.......

Roosevelt - the link

Here is another good starting point.......

National Archives

Another source.....prelinger archive

Other image databases like Photospin may have images that you can buy..... Tone (Tone) has a discount with them that is available to CMN members I believe.

Just a few quick thoughts to get you going!

One caveat: even if it is a government site, ALWAYS read the terms of use to make sure that the photograph/graphic/video can be used for your purposes! Not EVERYTHING on those government sites is royalty free.

[[Admin] skstarkiller]

You might try this site for some of your American photo needs... Click here just check out the copyrights for any image you use.

[rev_65]

Here's another site to try:

www.locimages.com

Their info page says:

Copyright Information
Material which is copyrighted or otherwise restricted will not be furnished knowingly. There are no known copyright restrictions for all images appearing on this site. Should you have any additional information, contact us.

[richschmidt]

Wouldn't images older than... oh, I forget the date, but 100 years?... be past their copyright date? I mean, the copyright expires a certain number of years after the creator/author dies, doesn't it?

Oh, but maybe you're wanting to use sketches/portraits that may have been done more recently? Otherwise, wouldn't an old portrait of Lincoln or Wesley be public domain now?

Peace,
Rich

[richschmidt]

I was under the impression that copyrights could no longer be renewed... I remember reading about it when the new laws were passed, thanks to the Walt Disney Company's lobbying (so they could protect Walt's cretaions, like Mickey Mouse). Trademarks and Service Marks are a different matter, I think...

Peace,
Rich

[David Reddel]

A short synopsis specifically related to works of a known author:

Works created after 1/1/1978 - life of author plus 50 years

The "Sony Bono Copyright Term Extension Act" passed in 1998 did the following:

Works created after 1/1/1978 - life of author plus 70 years - it added 20 years

The 1998 amendment also provided an additional 20 years to renewal terms of copyrights n their first term on January 1, 1978. Similar 20-year increases are also provided for anonymous and pseudonymous works, works for hire, and unpublished works.

Take a look at 17 USC Section 302 statutory section here, as well as Sections 304 and 305 to read the changes in full and to get a better feel for the different type of works covered and the different durations for each. A little night reading to put you to sleep!