A Question Regarding Copyright in Chess Books and Chess Videos

hi i would like to know if its possible to do videos of nimzowtisch's my system, chess praxis,  art of attack by vukovic, and euwes 2 middlegame books.

some of these are republished, leading me to suggest that it might be possible. otherwise whats the best way to go about this.

i would like to represent some of the classic works through video.

suggestions and advice, thanks.

 Hi, Charles

The international copyright laws says that you have to wait 70 years after the death of the author, if someone does not have the rights. You have to check out the ISBN... I was thinking to do this myself but with other books for my website, then I could not do it because I can not pay the fees and the authors or are still alive, or not enough dead!

I think Nimzowich has been dead for more than seventy years.

Yes, he died in 1935 I think. What i dont know if my system is under the 70 years rule, or the 95/120 years (if the work was for hire). As I said, check out the first pages of the book, and there is no notice of copyrights, then is public domain.

interesting, but nimzo is 1930 so that might be possible.. or there is a fee associated with his work? not sure. thanks for pointing that out.

interesting, but nimzo is 1930 so that might be possible.. or there is a fee associated with his work? not sure. thanks for pointing that out.

it has been republished a couple of times... i might be misinterpreting what that means but hopefully it can be worked on..

He died in 35, for sure. if his work was for hire, the copyrights are valid through 2030. If it is not, 2005. if the book was published here in US through 1909-1922 then the copyrights are extended minimum 20 years more, not sure how many. It is intended to protect creators from sequels of the first WW.

YOU HAVE TO CHECK OUT THE FIRST PAGES OF THE BOOK IF THERE IS SOME COPYRIGHT CLAIM, as well the ISBN number. If not, then you can go for it. (Im not a lawyer though, I just think I know that, so protect yourself asking to one)

I dont have any copy fo the book here, I cant tell you. GL

 Lol, I was wondering why you adressed me if I'm not going to do this and right now I just realized that "charlie" comes from Charles Galofre, the original poster.

Anyways, is an interesting question what you did, but, generalizing, a tool is a tool, even if you don't use it that much. I agree with you about openings, but strategies don't get outfashioned (that word exists?) they just evolve and others come to grow the chessplayers toolbox... dont you think?

 as I said, they evolve. I think the statement about no longer used strategies,, how come? They are not openings. General knowledge is always evergreen (except the kind of stuff like the earth is flat) I have read the Watsons book, but what I remember is the dynamics of chess has changed, the defending side is no longer tied as used to be. Of course I could be wrong, but for me is elemental, watson, elemental... (Just a joke) :)

and thanks for the grammar tip ;)

(updated)

so we are compatriotas :) Say hi to Blas for me.

Cómo, Puerto Rico o Pinar del Rio? es que en Pinar también hay una zona que se llama Fajardo... no se Puerto Rico. Tambien Pinar se puede considerar de la otra ala, aunque para ser sincero nunca lo habia oido de esa manera. Asi que lo mas seguro es que seas boricua, por aquello del poema... :)

If you are serious about this as a money making endeavor, then I strongly suggest you find yourself a good firm specializing in copyright law, obtain their advice, pay for it, and then listen to it. If you just want to make some you tube videos, go for it on the basis that you'll likely be too small for the publishers to do more than send a cease and disist order.

A plagiarist is a criminal which should be kept under lock and key....

hopefully this doesn't happen:

*Press*

charlesgalofre; "Oops. I didn't just publish copyrighted stuff, did I? I hope I don't get into any-"

*Insert siren wailing*

charlesgalofre; "Oh, boy."