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Participant
November 15, 2024
Question

Old family photos - ownership

  • November 15, 2024
  • 2 replies
  • 584 views

I have some really cool pictures that have been taken by family memebrs over the last 50 years, some with me in them.

I personally did not take them but have been given to me and are now under my ownership - am I able to upload them? If I scan and edit them? Or any ways to share credit?

A lot of these photos were taken by my mother who is still living.

Some photos were taken by my grandfather who is deceased.

This topic has been closed for replies.

2 replies

Nancy OShea
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 15, 2024

1. Scans of old photographs are not suitable quality for Stock. 😞

2. Anything published before 1923 is in the Public Domain.

3. Adobe Stock doesn't accept images that are in Public Domain.

4. Whatever you submit to Stock must be 100% your own work or accompanied by signed property releases by all persons or entities who can claim copyright.

 

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
sjxciiAuthor
Participant
November 16, 2024

This helps a lot, thanks!

Jill_C
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 15, 2024

The copyright ownership would have to be legally transferred from the original owner (the photographer) to someone else. You can't do that for images from your grandfather until those images enter the public domain, which is a murky area. Here's a webpage that describes when an image becomes public domain:
Public Domain Images—Are You Legally Compliant? - Sidebar Saturdays

 

Assignment/Transfer of Copyright Ownership (FAQ) | U.S. Copyright Office

 

Not sure all this legal effort is worthwhile unless you believe the images have commercial appeal.

Jill C., Forum Volunteer
sjxciiAuthor
Participant
November 16, 2024

Yes, it felt very much in the grey area and knew there must be some guidelines on this. Thanks for your help!