COPYCENSE

"Veteran filmmaker Robert Goodman is working on a documentary about the first pop culture phenomenon of the 20th century: American picture postcards. But securing permission to use many of these works — photos and illustrations that are around 100 years old — is an impossible task, as many of the original owners are unknown or dead, or the publishing companies no longer exist.

"The uncertainty of copyright ownership means Goodman, an Emmy-nominated director with a long career in film, photography and writing, is facing substantial costs, a lot of tedious research and, if he’s really unlucky, lawsuits."

Katie Dean. Copyright Reform to Free Orphans?. Wired News. April 12, 2005.

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