Posting scans of old speed book

[32ford5]

Hi,

I found a really cool book from 1952 called "Speed Power And Economy Book". It's priceless reading, has heaps of cool how to tips from 1952 and I know many H.A.M.B.ers will get a huge kick out of it's contents. My query is regarding copyright. Are you all ok for me to scan and post pages from this book into the forum for historical research purposes?

Edited:
Here are the covers and index page...

[ChevyGirlRox]

I think the copyright is good for 50 years, at least that's what other posts on here have said. I'd say go ahead and post some of it, maybe a little at a time (a chapter or so). If the mods want it off they'll delete it.

Looks really cool!

[thebigdaddyo]

Some notes I have gathered over the years:


Since 1978, a work is copyrighted automatically at the moment it is created in a tangible form. (For example, thinking about a short story or plotting it out in your head does not make it copyrighted. Writing it down on paper or your computer does). Before 1978, work had to be published with a copyright notice, and periodicly renewed, to be fully protected by copyright.
It is difficult to determine whether a work was copyrighted without an expensive search of the Copyright Office records. So I always play it safe and assume that all source material was copyrighted to the full extent of the law.
US copyright law was significantly simplifed after 1978.



Here's a brief summary:
Created before 1978:
The work was copyrighted when it was published with a copyright notice. The initial registration lasted for 28 years, and could be renewed for another 28 years. In 1978, Congress extended the renewal period to 47 years. In 1998 it was extended another 20 years, if the copyright holders file an extension. So material created before 1978 can be copyrighted for a total of 95 years.
As above, the only way to find out whether a work was properly copyrighted and renewed is to search the Copyright Office records (they do it at $20 per hour, or you can do it yourself if you live in DC and have time to kill). Just assume that source material was renewed, and therefore falls into the public domain 95 years after its original publication.
Created since January 1, 1978:
The work is copyrighted for the author's life plus 70 years. In other words, 70 years after the day the author dies, the copyright expires. (It used to be the author's life plus fifty years, but the Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998 extended the term by 20 years.) If there is more than one author, the copyright expires 70 years after the last surviving author's death. If the material was created under a work for hire agreement, the copyright lasts 95 years from first publication, or 120 years from creation, whichever expires first.
An added complication is that, from 1978 until 1989, an author/artist was required to attach a copyright notice to the work for it to be copyrighted. If they failed to do so, the work is in the public domain. But after 1989, copyright is automatically assigned to anything that can be copyrighted, from the moment of its creation.



I do know that one can reproduce 20 percent of the work without infringing on a copyright. Also, if the company that published the piece is out of business, the probability is that an extension was never filed.

[thebigdaddyo]

But I am not a lawyer, just a PR guy.

[side_valve]

Don’t do it. I’m fairly sure that’s written by Ed Almquist. If so, you are stealing money from a man and his family. (Ed is alive and well and living in Pennsylvania). Also, I sell that book for Ed and I’m an Alliance vendor. I would guess that you might not like folks stealing from you.

Support the REAL authors, producers and artists – don’t buy bootleg Clay Smith decals, t-shirts or DVDs.

[32ford5]

Ok cool (I've always wondered) and no I don't like stealing.

I removed the scans from the post above but I'd say Ed didn't get much of the money I paid for it as an original second hand book. I'm glad to hear you have them for sale and Ed gets his fair share. I'll check out your store and it's great that there is a way to support him.

I checked on the front page and it says...

Text by J. Newhouse
Principal Diagrams and Drawings by Jim Pettit Jr.
Photos not credited are by the author
Cover by William Harbeck.

It also gives the address of Newhouse Automotive Industries so I looked it up. Who knows, they might give permission gladly for the H.A.M.B. or for a fee it would still be worth it (I'd donate the fee if it's reasonable). Anyway, I found this...

http://kepler.ss.ca.gov/corpdata/ShowAllList?QueryCorpNumber=C0501028

Status: Suspended.

That could mean a few things I guess.

I would be glad to scan and create a secure protected PDF and give it to the Author or Trust but one thing I know is that if 90% of members here could see and read what I'm seeing in this book they'd be smiling. It echoes much of what I read on here.

What about the 20% thing? I could choose the best bits only and that would still be 27 pages of classic historical hot rod literature. Is there a way in which we all can win?

However, this stuff is gold and hard to find. There are some classic bits that I found fascinating. "...without written permission". How do we get written permission. I'm guessing that they might even say yes.

[thebigdaddyo]

I would think a few quotes or pieces of significance from the book would be fine, but if it breaches on too much or if the content's value affects the original (meaning if what you print makes the original of lesser or no value) then I wouldn't print it. Since you are in Australia, the first ones in line for lawsuit would be the proprietors of the HAMB itself, and we would never want Ryan to get screwed.

[skullhat]

my rec would be contact the guy, maybe he will give ya the permission.

im sure a few excerpts might be good for business, but its best to have the blessing of the copy right holder


skull

[32ford5]

I'd love to get in touch with the publishers to get their permission but not quite sure what to do when they are either out of business or not contactable.

[ChevyGirlRox]

If the book is still in print that totally changes the game. Thanks side_valve for being on the ball. Looks like I need to add another book to my Christmas list! :D

[32ford5]

It doesn't look like the same book as the one Side_Valve sells (which I just bought). How do I find out if this one is still in print? Off to Google I guess. I'd much rather get permission or just show no more than 20%.

[32ford5]

I'm coming across some cool pages, articles and adverts in old magazines of the 60s while researching my car that will help alot of other folks especially for research purposes. These magazines can't be bought anymore so if I scan and post I'm (guessing I'm) not depriving anyone of any income. Would it be ok if I posted them?

[HeyyCharger]

Now we know your really hooked!!!!!!:D

HC.

[32ford5]

I've been into old hot rod magazines for a long time but only now am I taking a serious and close look at them all again.