Is permission needed for producing a book of one's poster collection?

[Durandy]

Hello,

I am the owner/curator of a vast collection of promotional posters related to a specific music group. I am producing a book of selected posters from my archive -- referred to as 'an illustrative catalog of posters in my collection and ones that have been featured in my exhibitions'. I am writing all the text, and a photographer is being employed to shoot all the posters that will be included in the book.

I am wondering if I will have to obtain permission from the band, past record companies, artists, photographers, or any other known person/entity who may be responsible for, or credited on, any of the posters featured in my book.

Although the subject matter spans the band's career from 1980 to the present day, most of the posters date back to the early - mid 80's. Many of the posters were produced in large quantities for mass distribution by unknown promotional companies or printing sources. Furthermore, there are many posters produced in foreign countries. I am unclear how copyright permission would be secured in these cases.

I am currently under the impression that permission may depend on how the book is designed, marketed, and/or for what purpose. If the posters in the book are presented as a collection owned entirely by myself, instead of as individual items created by others, would that affect permission requirements? I understand that some museums may often take this approach when producing exhibits of art collections.

Any help or insight would be very appreciated.

Thank you!

Andy

[philaarts.com]

welcome flounder

[fantasygoat]

Short answer: yes, you need permission.

[DenisMutter]

From the Band and from the artists - and possibly the venues in some cases.

[ajosephb]

Long answer.

Just do it!

[Plantweed]

I'm no lawyer, but I can appreciate putting together a collection of archival work like images of obscure posters. I would say you should make all reasonable effort to contact designers and bands for permission, and document those efforts. If something is too obscure and no contact can be found, it might be OK to use. I've seen other books do this.

[scrojo]

If something is too obscure and no contact can be found, it might be OK to use. I've seen other books do this.

this seems to have been the standard ( and credited an "unknown" ) and yet........ i've seen in the last few years people crawl out of the woodwork to raise a stink ( understandably or not ) after publication.

contact nels "jagmo" jacobson

Concert Posters for Collectors by Jagmo, Nels Jacobson

not only a talented and sexy poster artist himself but a lawyer as well and the absolute authority on copyright issues in this arena ( imho ).

any fee he charges will be money very well spent if you are serious about this project.

[mikeage]

Clay might be able to answer this: Did the people in the gigposters book have to sign a release? How about the bands?

[imagine]

If you print copyrighted material you need an ok from the person that holds the copyright. Yes everytime I've been in a book I've signed a release even for american artifact

[Plantweed]

And yet there are things like collections of obscure album covers where the original labels are long defunct, the designers unknown, and the artists untraceable.