Milton Speckels' Book

Hi There,

I have a copy of this book "The Complete Guide to Micromounts" by Milton L. Speckels andwould like to scan it and share the wealth.

I looked online to try to find any copyright info but found nothing regarding Gembooks (Mentone, California: 1965).

Does anybody have any suggestions on how I can ensure that scanning this great little book is not illegal?
Thanks so much!
Joe

It doesn't look to me like it's in the public domain. My copy says "Copyright 1965 by Gembooks". The U.S. Copyright Office says, in its Circular 15A on Copyright Law; "Works Originally Copyrighted Between January 1, 1964,and December 31, 1977: These works are protected by copyright for the 28-year original term and the 67-year renewal term without the need of a first term or a renewal registration." So it sounds to me like, absent evidence to the contrary, it's probably protected for another 50 years.

Joe, you might try contacting the publisher and asking for permission to copy. If the book is out of print they just might allow it.

Yeah, I should have said that, you can always ask the publisher. I think that Gembooks is now Gem Guides, see Gem Guides Website. Looking at a lot of the Gembooks books on Amazon.com, they list Gem Guides as the publisher. It does seem like the Speckels book is out of print, so maybe they are not that attached to it.

Thanks for the leads! I couldn;t find Gembooks online but will contact Gem Guides.
Much obliged,
Joe

Copyright is there for a reason - to protect the right of the author/publisher - perhaps they may do a new edition if there were enough requests. That would be good for the author or the publisher. The author may not be alive but that doesn't mean its out of copyright.

Its one thing to copy a few pages or an article for personal use - its a whole other ball game to copy a whole book and deceminate to others.

Don is quite right - you should always ask the publisher first.


Cheers

Hi Keith,
I appreciate your concern and that is exactly why I am consulting the collective brain trust of the Mindat list. I have not scanned the book. I am concerned that what I do is above the law.
Best Regards,
Joe

Hi All,
Gembooks gave me the o.k. but only to share with my club as he was looking for a number - how many people would get a copy. I replied that my club has about 40 web using members and that would suit me very well. I scanned it and added it to the members only section of the Micromountrs of New England. Thanks to all for your input!
Joe