Why is uncopyrighted book marked "protected"

Saffrontoucanet

The book in your digital library, The Rahn Family of Wisconsin by Russell A Rahn and Marion J Rahn was given to your library by the authors so that others would be able to see it. Many years ago, they sent me a copy with a letter stating that "It is not copyrighted in any way, and you are free to make it available to anyone interested in the information."

I'm sure they would want it to be visible online. Is it possible that the protection label for this book is an error?

N Tychonievich

@Saffrontoucanet A person does not need to register a work in order for it to have copyright protection. A web search for "implicit copyright" reveals that, since 1978, works are automatically protected by copyright when created.

FamilySearch does periodically review the contacts/permissions for donated works. If the authors are living, they can request a change in the permissions. Otherwise, you'll need to wait out the copyright period (the life of the author plus 70 years).

Dennis J Yancey

are they, the authors, still alive?

they probably didn't fill out the "permission to duplicate" when they donated the book.

even if an author submitted their own work to the library with the intent that it be freely shared - unless they filled out a "permission to duplicate": form - FamilySearch would assume that it is under copyright.

if they are still alive - they should be able to request the change in status

if they are deceased - you may have a hard time getting it released.