Copyright WW2 Photos

[SandyMcJ]

I have 3 photos showing RAF personnel during WW2 which are stamped Copyright "Associated Press Photo" supplied by The Associated Press Ltd (Formerly Associated Press of Great Britain Ltd.) 85 Fleet St London. I'd like to post them to see if the personnel can be identified, but as guidance suggests copyright lasts for at least 70 years, presumably I would require appropriate permission. Could anyone suggest which organisation might now own the copyright? I tried e-mailing Associated Press (in US) but received no reply.

Sandy

PS photos show what appears to be a crew discussing an operation (poss debriefing?), 2 airmen in full flying gear, and a chap giving a thumbs up with cartoons decorating wall behind. What looks like a name card (Richards) can also be seen on wall. Same cartoons can be seen behind crew in debrief photo and interior looks like it might be Nissen hut. In picture of airmen in flying gear one of them is sitting at what I take to be entrance to aircraft and there is painted sign on plane saying 'DINGHY RELEASE PULL HARD'
Photos belonged to my late mother who served in WAAF with 106 squadron at RAF Metheringham. If anyone thinks they may be able to help and would like a look at the photos please PM me.

[Billyblue]

If they were taken during WW2, the copyright period then was 50 years, not 70, so they would be out of copyright around 1995, one would think.

In any case, copyright on photos didn't usually exist until the 1960s, so this may just be a case of 'rubber stamping' everything, at the time.

Don't you have a Copyright Council (or equivalent) in UK that you could ask?

Dawn M

[sillgen]

I have got this link from the Intellectual Property Office of a help leaflet for archives: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/375956/Libraries_Archives_and_Museums.pdf

May be useful.

[SandyMcJ]

Thanks for suggestions so far. Rootschat help led me to this
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/copyright-notice-digital-images-photographs-and-the-internet
which led me to believe it to be likely these images are subject to copyright. I have sent PM to moderator for advice on posting part or modified images.

Additional info - address on photos was Reuter's / Press Association building. I am struggling to find out what wartime 'Associated Press Ltd' became - part of Reuters possibly or part of today's AP. Anyone know or able to suggest how to find out?

I assumed photo of airmen in full flying gear was taken by aircraft. From other info/ photos I am now pretty sure they are at entrance hatch on Lancaster bomber which had dinghy release handle by the hatch for use in event of plane ditching.

[still_looking]

Search of Companies House shows Associated Press Limited as incorporated in 1931 and still trading, you can get a contact address from the companies house site as well.

S_L

[SandyMcJ]

Thanks S_L.
Address is for UK office of AP. I've tried e-mailing again, but I think general enquiries might disappear into US office somewhere!

[KGarrad]

There's contact details here:

http://www.aptn.com/80257026004B1988/httpContactUs?OpenForm

AP
The Interchange
Oval Road, Camden Lock
London
NW1 7DZ
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7482 7400
Fax: +44 (0)20 7413 8302
Email: aptninfo@ap.org

Plus an enquiry/feedback form.

[SandyMcJ]

E-mail address is different from 2 others I used (all @ap.org)! 3rd e-mail sent - let's see what happens!

[SandyMcJ]

Received reply from AP indicating thy had no objection to photos being posted. As I don't know who the people in the photos are and as some may still be alive, I have pixelated features - hope this is OK. Anyone interested in seeing higher definition copies of originals, please send me PM.

Any suggestions of context of photos would be welcomed.

Sandy