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I'm currently dealing with a request for photocopying which is causing me a few headaches and I'd be very grateful for any advice anyone can give me on the matter. I recently received a request from an American enquirer who claims to be unable to visit the UK to consult a ms in our collection. In the 1960's we were given a copy of a researcher's typescript transcript of the memoirs of an 18thC artist. The memoirs were still in the possession of the artist's family (current whereabouts unknown) but the artist stipulated that the contents were never to be published. It seems that the researcher gained permission of the descendants to transcribe the memoirs for his research and he later deposited a copy with the NPG, claiming copyright in the typescript. We know that the researcher had died by the mid-1980's. Our understanding regarding copyright in unpublished mss is that they were previously in copyright in perpetuity but that the 1989 Act changed that. Material already in copyright when the Act came into force (ie. works by author who died before August 1989) are given arbitrary treatment and will remain in copyright until January 1st 2040. I have two queries: 1/ In our circumstances does this apply to the copyright claimed by the transcriber? Or would it only apply to the artist and therefore, as he died 200 years ago, the work is out of copyright? 2/ How long does one respect the wishes of the artist, bearing in mind that his descendants gave permission for an external researcher to view the contents of the memoirs years ago? Any advice or opinion would be gratefully received. thank you. Antonia Leak Librarian & Study Room Manager Heinz Archive & Library National Portrait Gallery St Martin's Place London, WC2H 0HE Direct Tel: 020-7312 2411 Switchboard: 020-7306 0055 ext.257 Fax 020-7306 0056 Email: [log in to unmask] %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%