Copyright.

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Because of problems in the past and a couple of near misses the forum has developed a policy with regard to the copyright of all materials presented here. See below for details :



Copyright : We have mentioned this subject many times before but in case  the newer members are not familiar with the subject I will repeat it  here.

With regard to members pictures on the forum, whether showing a  copyright notice or not, you will have to get the owners permission to  copy and display them anywhere other than on this forum. 

As regards information posted on here by members you MUST ask the  provider of that information if you want to use it elsewhere. Obviously  I'm not talking about things like links but things which are unique to  the provider of the information or pictures. Obvious examples are  wanting to use one of the many excellent photographs to use as a screen  backdrop or to show a friend the kind of thing that can be done or maybe  a clever new way of doing something that you would like to put on  another forum.

This applies even more so to items brought on to the forum from outside  sources. Photographs copied from the internet or magazines for example.  You must either have the owners permission or use a link, and the same  applies to texts.
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Sol
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Sol is in the usergroup ‘Super-moderators’
Bumped to bring it to new members notice


the original post was done by the original creator of this forum and still remains the policy under the new owner Alan/Spurno

Ron
NCE DCC ; 00 scale UK outline.
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For a very readable summary of UK Copyright laws, see https://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/copyright/p01_uk_copyright_law

There is a link at the bottom to the full-blown law, which is surprisingly readable.

I've had to apply for permission in the past to use parts of images, figures, drawings, most copyright holders are usually OK with this as long as it is less than 10% of the copyrighted work (10% of a map, 10% of a book) and as long as it is not for profit. Permission for images from commercial websites is usually readily given, as long as the source is noted - it's free advertising.

There is an interesting wrinkle to UK law in that use of copyrighted material for education or instruction doesn't require permission as long as there is no reprographical production (scans, photos, etc).

There is an underlying concept of "fair dealing" that covers what you can do with copyrighted material without obtaining permission.

Be aware that for railway-related matters locating the copyright holder can sometimes be a challenge. Many of the writers who published in the 1960's-1980's are no longer with us, many works were self-published, and/or the publisher is no longer in existence. The copyright is still there (70 years after death), if after 3 or 4 attempts (and document them, it's due diligence) the copyright holder cannot be found, language along the lines of "copyrighted but author/owner unknown" should be used. I've seen this used recently.

When permission is forthcoming, always acknowledge the author/publisher. If it's a book the author will have usually (not always) transferred copyright to the publisher. Check with both to be sure.

Copying parts from models (e.g. silicone molds) is also another no-no without permission, even if for private use. A lot of material is covered by design patents, and in my experience the answer is invariably no. Using a copyrighted plan/diagram to produce a part is iffy, private use only would probably be OK. Go commercial and expect to see a demand for licensing payment and damages for lost business.

I use Sanborn insurance maps for my North American modeling (they have pretty accurate track plans, streets, buildings, industries) but only those that are out of copyright.

Check copyright laws for your country, they are not all the same.

Nigel

©Nigel C. Phillips
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While patents are designed, obviously, they are not the same thing in terms of copyright. Patents are for things such as Mr Prichards patented coupling, which ran out long ago. It is around 15 years, but seems to vary a bit.

Registered designs is another area, but as a lot of railway modelling is copying designs created long ago I doubt there is a potential problem.

Copyright is automatic on any work, such as this post, and survives as stated until 70 years after the death of the author.

The main thing model railway enthusiasts, rather than commercial producers, have to be aware of is that so long as it is kept private, no shows, no movies on YouTube, no Face book pictures etc. then no one will know. But there are an awful lot of ways to go public these days, and an awful lot of watchers. So be careful, even of the visitors taking pictures of your pride and joy. If you have been up to no good then, well you takes your chance. 3D scanners and instand moulding are tempting ways to copy more than the printed page.

freelance model railways and tramways
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Hi David,

Around 20-25 years for a patent, and that's if there has not been continuations or improvements.

Personally, if somebody has gone to the trouble of designing something and getting it commercialized, I'd rather buy it than do a rip-off. It's depriving somebody of their livelihood. We all suffer in the end.

Nigel

©Nigel C. Phillips
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One of the things about patents is that their finite life is much less than copyright.

While I tend to follow the rule that if it readily available then there is no point in trying to make it yourself; unless:

They are the wrong size
Do not fit without massive modification
Overpriced (this is misusing a monopoly so I think is reasonable if you can DIY)

Searching old patents to solve a problem is a recognised part of industrial design. Sometimes an old idea could not be made commercially as the materials and/or manufacturing techniques of the time were not up to it. There are all sorts of reasons as to why patented items were not taken up, patents have elapsed and then a use is found.

I mentioned the coupling patented by Prichard as I was looking for a way of standardising on that coupling but found the current Peco offering a bit pricey. The patent basically showed that a simple DIY solution could be tricky. Fortunately I found a well priced stock of old couplings.

freelance model railways and tramways
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