Attorney Helen Sedwick discusses what happens when you want to use copyrighted work but can't find the owner to get permission, plus a proposed solution from the U.S. Copyright Office: "Orphan works include everything from World War II photographs to anonymous internet postings. Tens of millions of orphan works are hidden in libraries, museums, historical societies, not to mention attics. … In fact, some experts estimate that 90% of all copyrighted work is orphan work."
December 11, 2015