Ethics: Opinions wanted. There is a Facebook group where one member shares his beautiful work colorizing old photos. Most of these photos were taken by others. Is it ethical for him to...

Larz

Opinions wanted.
There is a Facebook group where one member shares his beautiful work colorizing old photos. Most of these photos were taken by others. Is it ethical for him to uses the photos of others, without attribution, and subtly pass the entire work off as his own?

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Are the copyrights expired putting the photographs in the public domain? If so I see nothing wrong.

Larz

I suspect most of them have. Most are quite old historical photos.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

From a legal standpoint, there's nothing wrong as well as the derivative work will be eligible for copyright protection for the person creating a second, separate work independent from the first via substantial transformation, modification and / or adaptation.

Larz

Thanks for the responses.

ELNikkor

If they were taken by an unknown 40-year-old in the 1920's, a) they probably were never copyrighted, b) no one is left around to complain, and c) no one today would suspect that he is trying to pass himself off as the original photographer in the first place

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I don't know if ethics come into play but if he claims the work is entirely his, as in they are his photos, then he is being dishonest. Karma will catch up with him soon enough.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Crappy internet service; double posting...

Larz

He doesn't State either way. He has, on occasion, given credit to photographers but is silent on the issue most of the time. He probably gives credit when he knows.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Larz wrote:

Opinions wanted.
There is a Facebook group where one member shares his beautiful work colorizing old photos. Most of these photos were taken by others. Is it ethical for him to uses the photos of others, without attribution, and subtly pass the entire work off as his own?

If the images are presented in such a way that would suggest to the viewer that he is the photographer, then he is wrong to post them. That is simple.

Linary Loc: UK

Why not post a message on the page asking if the originals are his or free of copyright?

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Given your post title is "Ethics", it is never ethical to use someone else's work without attribution, even if it is legal. As far a legal goes, I believe here in the US it's the life of the photographer + 70 years. Internationally, I believe it's the life of the photographer + 50 years. The idea of copyright laws go back to the 1700s, mainly for books and maps / charts and the ability to write copyright laws is part of the US constitution (Article 1, section 8, clause 8) according to Wikipedia.

Keen

Not ethical, or legal. He may get sued.

Larz

I don't want to call the guy out and make an enemy, I was just curious. Personally, I would always a knowledge that it was another's image, even if I didn't know who's.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Larz wrote:

Opinions wanted.
There is a Facebook group where one member shares his beautiful work colorizing old photos. Most of these photos were taken by others. Is it ethical for him to uses the photos of others, without attribution, and subtly pass the entire work off as his own?

Probably not legal not to mention ethical, copyright is extends 75 years after the death of the copyright holder. It has always been my understanding that images you create are yours and should not be used by anyone else without permission.