Copyright

Copyright Statements in Finding Aids

We address copyright in the Conditions Governing Use <userestrict> section of the finding aid.  Boiler-plate language, included in our EAD templates, addresses three general situations: transfer of copyright to Harvard, unknown copyright, and papers in the public domain.  Processors should always check the deed of gift to see if the donor has specified if they want to transfer copyright.  If you have questions about your specific situation, please speak to the Head of Manuscripts. See below for more information on how to determine if papers are in the public domain. 

Transferred to Harvard:

Copyright. Copyright in the papers created by [xxx] is held by [the President and Fellows of Harvard College for the Schlesinger Library or whomever]. Copyright in other papers in the collection may be held by their authors, or the authors' heirs or assigns.

Unknown:

Copyright.  Copyright in the papers created by [xx] as well as copyright in other papers in the collection may be held by their authors, or the authors' heirs or assigns.

Public Domain:

Copyright. The papers created by [xxx] are in the public domain. Copyright in other papers in the collection may be held by their authors, or the authors' heirs or assigns.

How to determine whether papers are in the public domain

As you may know, each year new material moves into the public domain. If you are working with an older collection, particularly a small one, specifying public domain may be an option for you.  Consult the chart provided by the Cornell University Library Copyright Information Center: 

Copyright Term and the Public Domain in the United States

Additional information on copyright situations can be found on the libguide, Image Use Policy,  created by Research Services.   See the section on Useful Links for Copyright & Fair Use Information for a list of helpful links, including the Cornell Library chart.