[Greymatters]

I’ve run into a coyright protection issue involving a non-profit museum which emailed me for use in a documentary a PDF file of images from its archives. Belatedly they told me first to “avoid” using the ones owned by a Major Movie Company then finally, after I called, to definitely not use certain images because they can’t give me permission to use any of them. They can’t assure me which ones were stills from 1930’s-era movies or images shot on set during production. They implied if there is a distinction, I can use the latter.

When I asked if the Major Film Company which owns copyright would give me permission they replied, “good luck getting it.” I am told by producers this company will go after anyone, including small-time non-profit producers like myself because of strong resistance to anything it owns heading once-and-for-all into the public domain.

This calls into question whether I can use the Pathe movie footage the museum owns, or anything else without running into copyright infringement.

I’m new to this sort of documentary production and would appreciate any guidelines.

Sincerely,

Greymatters