Metropolitan Museum of Art catalogue rights statements

This came through my Instagram stream

Have you heard the latest gossip about book collecting?! Okay maybe not the latest… This 2-volume set was written by The Met’s very first librarian, William Loring Andrews, and was published in 1900. Both volumes are available for free online through our Digital Collections. #gossip #bookcollecting #bookcollector #bookcollectors #collecting #librarian #bookbinding

A post shared by Thomas J. Watson Library (@metlibrary) on Dec 27, 2017 at 10:36am PST

So I made my way to the relevant opac, and searched the catalogue, ending up here.

I was impressed by the very clear rights statements, see below:

Copyright Status	public domain
Copyright Notice	Material is in the public domain. No restrictions on use.
Copyright Information	The Libraries of the Metropolitan Museum of Art make digital versions of collections accessible for research purposes in the following situations: They are in the public domain; the rights are owned by The Metropolitan Museum of Art; we have permission to make them accessible; we make them accessible as a fair use, or there are no known restrictions on use. To learn what your responsibilities are if you'd like to use the materials, go to http://www.metmuseum.org/information/terms-and-conditions

It was useful that this information was clear. I have only looked at this example and have not further explored the catalogue.

It is something that libraries should always consider - how to make accurate rights statements clear and easy to find for people who want to further use material.  I continue to be frustrated by organisations which state that material which is out of copyright is in copyright.

As an aside the library has a very interesting blog, and you can explore the other museum blogs here.

A knitting pattern copyright discussion on Instagram

I found out about this discussion because I saw this (you need to read the information under the photograph)

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE; top photo is the amazing Baa-ble Hat designed by @donnasmithdesigns for #ShetlandWoolWeek 2015, the bottom is a "new design" from @chelseayarns bearing an *uncanny* resemblance to Donna's design. This makes me sad because surely there are enough amazing ideas to be had in this world that you can do a sheepy design without ripping off another designer, and because I strongly believe that we must respect each other's creativity and not exploit it. There are ways and means of approaching someone about using their original ideas but publishing a free pattern on Ravelry that directly quotes someone else's design is not one of them. #notok #originalintellectualcopyright #ripoff #baablehat #istandwithmyfrienddonna

A photo posted by Felicity Ford (@knitsonik) on Oct 14, 2016 at 12:56pm PDT

which was reposted by others, and led to one person sharing their photograph of the hat they had knitted with the original pattern, calling others to do the same...

This is a picture of my #baablehat I wore last year when I was in Shetland during the #shetlandwoolweek. I just read the post of @knitsonik about a copycat (#shewhocannotbenamed) used this fantastic design made by @donnasmithdesigns. This morning Donna posted a picture of her baable hats and new cowl and I'm asking you not to use the copycat cowl, but buy the one Donna is designing! #istandwithmyfrienddonna #baablehatisthebomb #godesignyourowncowl #knittersofinstagram #knitting #rhinebeck #knitstagram #knittingaddict #breien #stricken #shetland #shetlandrules

A photo posted by Madeleine (@madeliciousm) on Oct 14, 2016 at 1:22pm PDT

...which led to more people sharing their photographs...

#getyourbaablesoot me and @knitsonik at #shetlandwoolweek2015 opening ceremony in the #baablehat. I didn't make one in time (@helenemagnusson let me borrow hers) Tomorrow I am going to cast one on! 📸 - THE @jenireid

A photo posted by Louise Scollay (@knit_british) on Oct 14, 2016 at 3:03pm PDT

There are more examples at #getyourbabblesoot.

 Only a few days ago the pattern creator had shared

It's the October holidays here at the moment, so that together with working a couple of days this week and catching up with pals has meant that there isn't much time for knitting. I am however working on a Baa-ble cowl and mittens set now the cold weather is setting in. The patterns will be released very soon! #baablehat #baablecowl #baablemittens #knittersofinstagram #knitting #shetlandwoolweek #inspiredbyshetland

A photo posted by Donna Smith (@donnasmithdesigns) on Oct 13, 2016 at 11:21am PDT

I thought this was an interesting way of dealing with copyright misuse. They are working through Ravelry as well.

An update has been posted by the original designer. It is worth checking the number of likes and comments as there is a lot of solidarity being shown.

I want just to say a massive thank you to everyone lately for their support, the woolly community really is an amazing place! On another note the Baa-ble mittens and cowl is now on Ravelry (user name is Peeriedonna). More pictures to follow - I had forgotten how little light we get sometimes when the winter gets near! #baablehat #baablemittens #baablecowl #knittersofinstagram #knitting #shetlandwoolweek #sheep #inspiredbyshetland

A photo posted by Donna Smith (@donnasmithdesigns) on Oct 15, 2016 at 6:26pm PDT

Anthropomorphism in Alices Adventures in Wonderland - and clear rights statements

Anthropomorphism in Alices Adventures in Wonderland

This is a very interesting blog post from the British Library. I really like the clear rights statements about each of the digitised items, and that the whole article has creative commons licensing.  It is impressive.

My review of Information doesn't want to be free: laws for the internet age

Information Doesn't Want to Be Free: Laws for the Internet Age by Cory Doctorow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am tempted to simply say read this, it is useful (and full of stories), but that may not be enough.

This is an excellent book for library workers to read as it is a reminder about the importance of changing copyright laws. This book is written to target writers and other creators of content, and the information for this sector has big implications for libraries. It also can be used by libraries who are creators of content (which perhaps should be all libraries).

How content it created and distributed can change how it can be collected by libraries, and some of the methods used would present challenges to purchase orders. Reading this raises many questions for library staff to think about for collecting content so that it is accessible now and into the future.

This is an angry and yet a hopeful book, with much useful information. It is a fast read, with much to think about.

To quote from this book "I don't think the conclusion is foreordained. ON bad days. I'm petrified of the extent to which a despot could use technology to perfectly spy, to perfectly coordinate an army of thugs. But even on bad days, I believe that the only answer to this fear is to seize the means of information and ensure that technology's benefits are distributed to everyone, not just the powerful. A refusal to engage with (or protect) technology doesn't mean that the bad guys won't get it - just that the good guys will end up unarmed in the fights that are to come."

Also from the book "If we have to choose between that vision of copyright and a world where more people can create, more audiences can be served, where our devices are our honest servants and don't betray us, where our networks are not designed for censorship and surveillance, then I choose the latter, I hope you would too."

View all my reviews