Jeremy, On Tue, 28 Jul 1992 10:17:05 CST you said: > > Now, that would be films from 1926 and earlier. I'm no copyright > lawyer, Larry, but I don't think one can even count on these films > being pd. The law is so convoluted that there seem to be ways around > the 28+28 rule you mention. For example, sometimes folks (unscrupulous > folks) will re-edit and score a silent film and then slap their > copyright on the "new" film (this has been attempted with BIRTH OF A > NATION, fr'instance). A prime example of exploiting this loophole is Turner Home Entertainment color-tinting old black-and-white films and securing copyright on the new version. With little changes like this, a film (or any other intellectual work) can be protected for at least another 75 years under current copy- right laws in the U.S. The safe bet would be to contact any potential owner of the footage you want to use. > > And I want to know, too! I suggest that anyone with leads on this > issue post them to SCREEN-L itself. I think there's probably enough > general interest to warrant it. > This would probably make a good addition to the filelist, Jeremy. ---------- Bureaucracy is a giant mechanism operated by pygmies. --Honore' De Balzac-- ---------- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= A n d r e w V e r n o n =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Anything is possible... BITNET: AVERNON1@UA1VM DGIF#9691 Internet: [log in to unmask] Student Publications - The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala.