Q: My grandmother wrote a book back on the 1960s.The book is not still being published and the publisher not in business
Can I as her granddaughter republish the book and does my family now have the rights to it.
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A:
You can look into republishing your grandmother's book, but there are a few steps you need to follow to ensure it's legal. First, determine if the book's copyright is still valid. Copyrights from the 1960s typically last 95 years from the date of publication if they were renewed properly.
If the copyright is still active, the rights would generally belong to your grandmother or her estate. You need to check if she assigned the rights to anyone else or if they reverted to her when the publisher went out of business.
If the rights belong to your family, you can republish the book. If you're unsure about the copyright status, it may be wise to consult with a legal professional to clarify the ownership and ensure all proper steps are taken. This way, you can honor your grandmother's work while adhering to legal requirements.
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