Re: finding publisher no longer in business

On Sat, 30 Oct 1999, Ron Kilponen <kilponen[_at_]bignet.net> wrote:
>
> On 10/28/1999, Bob Schmidt <bobsch[_at_]olypen.com> wrote:
> >
> > I am trying to track down the copyright status of a book published
> > by a firm that appears to longer be in business -- at least nothing
> > comes up with any search engine I've tried nor are they on web sites
> > listing book publishers. The company was Tudor Publishing of New York.
>
> I too continue to have the same problem, different publisher. I know
> there are directories of publishers in a library with a good reference
> section. Some of the titles I've used, although unsuccessful, are
> Dictionary of Literary Biography, Publishers International ISBN
> Directory, if you find these, then I would also ask the librarian
> for other such texts.
>
> > I have run the book through the Library of Congress' copyright
> > database site but that covers only period since 1978. Since the book
> > was published earlier (1949), I would have to dig into the Catalog
> > of Copyright Entries, something apparently not available over the
> > internet. I figure it would probably be easier trying to track down
> > what became of the original publisher and go from there.
>
> The other option is to have the copyright office do a search of the
> records. If you have a title, authors name, and/or publisher you may
> wish to send the information to them for a quote. I believe the search
> that I had done was about $70. I did obtain an assignment of the title
> I was researching to another company which quickly filed for bankruptcy.
> Boy, I gotta tell ya, I'm still looking and have not been successful in
> any of my tactics. I also had some state incorporation documents
> searched in Del. where the publishers were incorporated.
>
> The bankruptcy info/docket is ridiculous and my client cannot afford
> to order the whole thing. It seems the assets were dispersed amongst
> different companies/individuals and I can't tell where the title I'm
> interested in has gone.
>
> > Are there any search engines specific to locating companies that
> > are no longer in business or have been bought by other companies?
> >
> > Any insights/guidance appreciated. Thanks and kindest regards, Bob.
>
> That's all I can offer, but if you come up with anything good, please
> share. I'd appreciate any ideas that you may have also.

Ron:

Check Barbara Ruhmann's response. She has suggested also trying to track down the book's author (or editor). I can see where the author (or heirs) may have more direct contact on what may be going on with his/her work's copyright status.

Being on a shoestring budget, I was holding off using the Copyright Office's $65/hour research service as a last resort.

I do not envy you trying to sort through the bankruptcy documents. Perhaps one of the attorneys handling the case could help provide a more direct and/or cleaner route to the info you seek.

Thanks for your input and best regards, Bob Bob Schmidt
bobsch[_at_]olypen.com Received on Tue Nov 02 1999 - 04:09:22 GMT