copy right of old family photos,

[HeatherB]

Well this certainly is a strange one.

As a lot of us probably remember, who came from the era of expensive photography and developing and even more expensive studio pictures.

All the best pictures were sent overseas to cousins and aunts and uncles and friends, just to let them see our major events, and how well we could afford to dress the children, the nice holidays they had, the prizes they had won.
 
Personally I would like to see them returned to the original owner as often they just go out in the rubbish when someone dies or end up in second hand shops for strangers to buy.

Ever lent photo's to family members to copy? (believe you me they are like books never returned) especially if you tell them how precious they are to you.

But I am sure if I saw a picture of a greatgreat ancestor on line I would feel they belonged to me in the same way as the owner obviously does and I would want a copy. Perhaps a link from their site to yours might be the answer, then you could share all the family information not just keep it to yourself, after all that's what families are suppose to be all about caring and sharing.

I have often noticed in newspaper reports in times of fire and flood what was the most important thing lost family photo's even people rushing back into burning buildings to try and save them. I just hope other family members rallied around to help replace them.

I think this is just an area where people would have varying views according to their own experience and there is no right or wrong answer.

Cheers H

[pinefamily]

Well put, Heather.

[ReadyDale]

You could always put them on Facebook, as they seem to claim exclusive copyright to anything on there. 

[msr]

Copyright issues seem to be popping up quite regularly, especially lately.

Not exactly sure where this is from but it seems quite clear.

"Prior to 1 August 1989, the copyright in photographs, portraits and engravings (and only those types of work) which were created as a result of a commission were owned by the commissioner and NOT the creator"

If someone, way back when, asked for a photo be taken, and paid for it, they were commissioning it, and were therefore the copyright owner.

Following that, this can be found on ipo-gov.   

Do I need to register copyright?
No - copyright protection in the UK is automatic, so there is no registration
system, there are no forms to fill in, and no fees to pay.

Can copyright be transferred to someone else?
Yes - copyright is a form of intellectual property and, like physical property,
it can be bought and sold, inherited or otherwise transferred. It is also
possible to transfer only some of the rights you are entitled to. Anyone who
is a copyright owner can choose to license others to use their work

Those words I expect are copyright of HMGov.    I borrowed to illustrate only.