Russian Copyright

From: Michael Seadle <seadle[_at_]MAIL.LIB.MSU.EDU>
Date: Thu, 29 Jul 1999 16:48:10 -0400

I just received a reference question about Russian copyright law, which I know NOTHING about, and perhaps someone can help with it.

Person X is preparing a text book on Russian and wants to use current newspaper materials as readings. She asked whether newspaper articles were protected and who owned them.

By some extraordinary bit of good luck I found what I hope is a legit translation of Russian copyright law on the Web at:

   http://www.spb.ru/rulesreg/3/copy.html

One of the provisions reads as follows:

"Article 19. Use of a Work Without the Author's Consent and Without
   Payment of Royalties

"The following shall be permitted without the author's consent and
   without payment of royalties but with obligatory indication of the    author's name and the source of borrowing:    ...

"3) reproduction of legitimately published newspaper or magazine
   articles on current economic, political, social and/or religious    issues or the broadcasting of any works provided said reproduction    has not been expressly prohibited by the author; ..."

It looks to me as if person X's use is covered. And I think that Berne only requires signatories to protect rights where they would be protected abroad. So it seems plausible that Russian newspaper articles on these topics could be used legitimately in a US-published textbook without permission. ... Right??? Or am I missing something major? ... It seems too good to believe.

Thanks and best wishes ... Michael

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Michael Seadle seadle[_at_]msu.edu
Digital Services and Copyright Librarian Michigan State University
Phone: 517-432-0807
Fax: 517-432-4795
Editor: Library Hi Tech

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Received on Thu Jul 29 1999 - 20:55:29 GMT