Are the “Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives” copyright restricted?

Question from KT, Are the “Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives” copyright restricted?

Answer from AI:

The “Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers’ Project, 1936 to 1938,” housed in the Library of Congress, are generally not copyright restricted. These narratives were created as part of a federal government project during the New Deal era, which means they are considered public domain works.

Understanding Public Domain Status

Works created by employees of the U.S. federal government as part of their official duties are typically in the public domain from the moment of creation. This is codified in Title 17 of the United States Code, Section 105, which states that copyright protection is not available for any work of the United States Government.

Federal Writers’ Project and Public Domain

The Federal Writers’ Project (FWP) was a New Deal program established in 1935 to provide employment for historians, teachers, writers, librarians, and other white-collar workers. The slave narratives collected under this project were part of the FWP’s efforts to document American life and history.

Accessing the Narratives

The Library of Congress has made these narratives available online, and they can be accessed freely by the public. Here are some steps to access these documents:

1. Visit the Library of Congress website.
2. Navigate to the “Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers’ Project, 1936 to 1938” collection.
3. Browse or search the collection to find specific narratives.

You can access the collection directly through this Library of Congress link.

When Legal Advice Might Be Necessary

While the narratives themselves are in the public domain, there may be other legal considerations if you plan to use them in a specific way, such as:

• Commercial use or publication.
• Incorporation into a larger work that may have its own copyright considerations.
• Use of any accompanying materials that might not be in the public domain.

In such cases, it is advisable to consult with a legal professional to ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

Additional Resources

For more information on public domain works and copyright law, you can refer to:

• U.S. Copyright Office Circular 1
• Title 17, Section 105 of the U.S. Code

These resources provide comprehensive information on what constitutes public domain works and the specifics of U.S. copyright law.

Remember, while this information provides a general overview, it is always best to seek personalized legal advice for specific situations.