The copyright 'views' your friend said was stated at the meeting, as this is the general concensus
The gray area that comes into is
1. The General Cemetery was Originally Private, it was never purchased by the council only inherited.(in effect/ taken over)
2. Are Gravestones sculptures? I think when families had these made it wasn't thought of as a sculpture. There are questions today as to what one thinks of as art?
3. Copyright I don't think was around at the time, as photographs have only been around since 1860's?
4. If an Artist etc had designed a sculpture to be put on display in places open to the public, I think they would have/agreed, then giving consent of use of copyright. So as said it wouldn't be covered by the act.
5. You can photograph a 'grave' as after 50 years the grave plot is then owned by the landowner (council or private). But the Gravestone has been purchased by the family and is owned by them, The Council can in no way trace every descendant to see who owns the Gravestone. In effect it would be the owners permission sort to photograph.(As was it placed on private land or council at the time) As the Council did not purchase the Cemetery I think they are protecting themselves in case? Whether the Cemetery is now 'public', how do we get consent from the deceased? They thought they were in a 'private cem'
6. Most copyright laws have grey areas? Books are more easily covered where the internet is not, and as technology changes it is harder to police. 173yrs ago when the Cemetery opened this technology wasn't available. (M/C Council took over abt 1960) So by what law or act protects them?
People are photographing graves, they are not placing them all over the Internet, they are emailing them, as I do myself.
I gave the Council this website address to show that our proposal had serious interest and they have been watching this posting. This is not the first time an idea has been put forward about this, but it has been one that has been accepted!!
We have worked really hard on this, and the one point was the 'grey area' which we have all been checking out before and after meetings. (mostly PM's and emailing) It still is a 'Grey Area' but they agreed! Whether 'myth or not' I can only hope that the Council still believe in us and the project. So, does the standard copyright stated above cover this?? Who knows?
Our aim is, for this project to be successful for the hope of doing other Manchester Cemeteries, is a possibility, and If I sound a little upset by this posting, I am, as it has made out we believe whatever we are told by the Council. And as everyone knows, sometimes dealing with the Council can be?
?
When the 'copyright law' covers every aspect, we can then do as we like within it, but meanwhile it is still a grey area!
Also, I would to Thank those in putting there names forward for the trail run on the 17th!!
I look forward to seeing everyone!!
Not everyone needed to volunteer needs a camera, we need volunteers to help writing out the transcriptions on the day!!
CANCAN
