Commons:Stamps/Public domain
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- See also Commons:Stamps/Public domain templates.
Don't hesitate to translate this list into another language.
[edit] Albania
Stamps of Albania are in public domain. Please tag PD-Albania-exempt to each image.
[edit] Armenia
Stamps of Armenia are in public domain. Please tag PD-AM-exempt to each image.
[edit] Azerbaijan
Stamps of Azerbaijan are in public domain. Please tag PD-AZ-exempt to each image.
[edit] Belarus
Stamps of Belarus (Belorussia) are in public domain. According to the Copyright Law of the Republic of Belarus No. 370-XIII of May 16, 1996, "state symbols and signs (flag, coat of arms, anthem, awards, banknotes and other signs)" are not copyrightable.[1] According to the Postage Law of the Republic of Belarus No. 258-З of December 15, 2003, "postage stamp is an official (state) sign of postage printed on paper and carrying an artwork, and inscriptions "БЕЛАРУСЬ", "BELARUS", year of issue (in Arabic letters) and a par value (in Arabic figures). The par value of postage stamp may be designated in letters."[2]
Please tag PD-BY-exempt to each image.
[edit] Belgium
For Belgium applies the following rule: The image of a stamp is copyright free when the following conditions are fulfilled: 70 years after La Poste / De Post have issued the stamp AND 70 years after the designer of the image on the stamp has died.
[edit] Canada
Canadian stamps are under "Canada copyright", which expires after 50 years. See en:Crown copyright.
[edit] Czechoslovakia
Postage stamps of Czechoslovakia (they were published in 1918-1939 and in 1945-1992) are copyrighted 70 years after the author's death by both authors: an engraver and a graphic artist.
[edit] Czech Republic
Postal stamps of Czech Republic (they are since 1993) are copyrighted 70 years after the author's death by both authors: an engraver and a graphic artist. They are not official works. Stamps are officially announced in Poštovní věstník (Postal bulletin, it is published at least since 2000) and texts in this bulletin is public domain but the stamps are copyrighted.
[edit] Ecuador
Ecuador postage stamps are in the public domain, per email received from Sr. Eduardo Espinosa of their Philatelic Bureau in response to my inquiry. Their Copyright Law is: LEY DE PROPIEDAD INTELECTUAL, Ley No. 83. Jack Child 00:40, 6 February 2007 (UTC)
[edit] El Salvador
The basic copyright law of El Salvador is: Decreto 604, 15 July 1993. Specific permission to use images of postage stamps for non-commercial educational, philatelic and cultural purposes is contained in an email message dated 11 January 2007 from Silvia María Orantes, Head of the Philatelic Office, Government of El Salvador. For text, see Discussion. Jack Child 13:38, 15 January 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Faroe Islands
All stamps issued are public domain. See Template talk:Faroe stamps.
[edit] Finland
Postage stamps first published before January 1, 1990 are in the public domain, as they are parts of decisions by an authority of Finland. Use {{PD-FinlandStamp}} for them. The Finnish copyright law of 2005 specifies that no copyright exists in decisions or statements by an authority of Finland (§ 9). Postage stamps first published after 1989 are not in the public domain, and they should not be uploaded. Because Posti- ja telelaitos, the authority for mail services, was changed from an authority to a company in the beginning of 1990, postage stamps published by Posti- ja telelaitos were not anymore parts of decisions by an authority. Most probably the copyright owner of postage stamps published after 1989 are Itella Oyj or the designer of them. A picture of a finnish postage stamp first published after 1989 should be speedily deleted, unless permission has been granted by Itella Oyj and the designer of the postage stamp.
[edit] France
What is sure is that stamps by designers deceased more than 70 years ago (plus years of war) are public domain.
The names of the artists are generally printed at the bottom of the stamps or its main picture.
On 1st January 2009, it appears that all postage stamps of France issued until 1918 seems to be in the public domain (and not the 1919 stamp known as "the two orphans" - cause: no informations found on the date of death of Surand and Jarraud).
This list is non exhaustive list :
| Name | Born | Died | Public domain status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artists whose works are in public domain because they died before 31 December 1938. | |||
| Barre, Jacques-Jean | 1793 | 1855 | public domain |
| Barre, Désiré-Albert | 1818 | 1878 | public domain |
| Blanc, Joseph | 1846 | 1904 | public domain |
| Dubois, Alphée | 1831 | 1905 | public domain |
| Mouchon, Louis-Eugène | 1843 | 1914 | public domain |
| Sage, Jules-Auguste | 1840 | 1910 | public domain |
| Roty, Oscar | 1846 | 1911 | domaine public |
| Merson, Luc-Olivier | 1846 | 1920 | public domain |
| Ruffé, Léon | 1864 | 1935 | domaine public |
| Dumoulin, Louis | 1860 | 1924 | domaine public |
| ...and any artist dead before 31 December 1938. | |||
| Rights reserved ; their works will be in public domain on 1 January following 70 years after their death | |||
| Grégoire, René | 1871 | 1945 | 2016 |
| Prudhomme, George Henri | 1873 | 1947 | 2018 |
| Ouvré, Achille | 1872 | 1951 | 2022 |
| Dulac, Edmond | 1882 | 1953 | 2024 |
| Lemasson, Henri | 1870 | 1956 | 2027 |
| Cheffer, Henry | 1880 | 1957 | 2028 |
| Cocteau, Jean | 1889 | 1963 | 2034 |
| Louis, Robert | 1902 | 1965 | 2036 |
| Serres, Raoul | 1881 | 1971 | 2042 |
| Cami, Robert | 1900 | 1973 | 2044 |
| Spitz, André | 1883 | 1977 | 2048 |
| Picart Le Doux, Jean | 1902 | 1982 | 2053 |
| Miró, Joan | 1893 | 1983 | 2054 |
| Decaris, Albert | 1901 | 1988 | 2059 |
| Gandon, Pierre | 1899 | 1990 | 2061 |
| Pheulpin, Jean | 1907 | 1991 | 2062 |
| Cottet, René | 1902 | 1992 | 2063 |
| Peynet, Raymond | 1908 | 1999 | 2070 |
| Hundertwasser, Friedensreich | 1928 | 2000 | 2071 |
| Leguay, Marc | 1910 | 2001 | 2072 |
| Durrens, Claude | 1921 | 2002 | 2073 |
| Bridoux, Charles | 1942 | 2003 | 2074 |
| Guillame, Cécile | 1933 | 2004 | 2075 |
| Folon, Jean-Michel | 1934 | 2005 | 2076 |
| Forget, Pierre | 1923 | 2005 | 2076 |
| Lacaque, Eugène | 1914 | 2005 | 2076 |
| Słania, Czesław | 1921 | 2005 | 2076 |
| Any living artists : rights reserved | |||
[edit] Georgia
The stamps of Georgia are in public domain. Use the Template:PD-GE-exempt tag to each image.
[edit] Germany
German postage stamps are "official works" and thus in the public domain according to § 5 I UrhG. Stamps of Deutsche Post AG are issued on behalf of the German government (Ministry of Finance) and thus "official". Stamps of other private entities are copyrighted.
- For the graphic art the copyright of the graphic artist may apply, so stamps have to be shown complete. Copyright expires 70 years after 1 January after death.
License templates:
- Template:PD-German stamps
for stamps of Deutsche Post AG, issued from 5 May 1995 on (imprint „Deutschland“) - Template:PD-Deutsche Bundespost stamps
for stamps of Deutsche Bundespost (Federal Mail, including Berlin and Saarland) issued from 1949 until 6 April 1995 - Template:PD-GDR stamps
for stamps of Deutsche Post der DDR (German Democratic Republic, 1945 - 1990) - Template:PD-DBZ stamps
for stamps issued by Allied Occupation authorities (1945 - 1949) - Template:PD-German Empire stamps
for stamps of Deutsche Reichspost (Imperial Mail, including foreign entities) issued before 1945 - For stamps of the pre-Imperial German states the Template:PD-old applies.
[edit] Greece
Stamps by artists deceased more than 70 years ago (or pseudonymously designed more than 70 years ago) are free. The copyright status of all other stamps issued before 1970 is disputed (possibly {{PD-GreekGov}} as government administrative documents). Stamps issued since 1970 follow the 70 years pma rule. See Category:Stamps of Greece for details.
[edit] India
Only Indian stamps older than 60 years are in the public domain. See en.wikipedia discussion here and here.
According to the India Post website the following applies: "Reproduction of stamps is allowed for illustration purposes in Philatelic Publication or in an article relating wholly on postage stamps which may appear in any magazine, newspaper or publication of a general character. Such reproduction should however, be only in black. If stamps are to be produced in colour for publicity purposes, prior permission of the Director General of Posts must be obtained."[3]
[edit] Iraq
Iraqi stamps older than 50 years are in the public domain. Use Template:PD-Iraq to tag them.
[edit] Israel
According to the Israeli Copyright Act, 2007 [1] Chapter Four, Permitted Uses, paragraph 23, Broadcast or copying of work in public place: "Broadcasting, or copying by way of photography, drawing, sketch or similar visual description, of an architectural work, a work of sculpture or work of applied art, are permitted where the aforesaid work is permanently situated in a public place." It is assumed that stamps (banknotes and coins) are regarded as a "work of applied art" and therefore all scans and photos of Israeli stamps are in public domain. The template Template:PD-IL-exempt should be used to tag each image.
[edit] Italy
Until specific information becomes available, apply the 70 years pma rule (or 70 years after issue for anonymous/pseudonymous stamps).
[edit] Japan
Stamps more than 50 years old are in the public domain, per Template:PD-Japan.
[edit] Kazakhstan
Pursuant to Article 8 of Law No. 6-I of the Republic of Kazakhstan On Copyright and Associated Rights dated June 10, 1996, "official symbols and signs (flags, coats of arms, decorations, bills and coins and other official symbols and signs)" are not copyrighted. Pursuant to Article 1 of Law No. 386-II of Kazakhstan On Post dated February 8, 2003, official signs of postage include "stamps, souvenir sheets, stamped covers, postcards, postage meter marks and other signs introduced into circulation by the authorised agency, which confirm that postal operator services have been paid."
The PD-KZ-exempt template is appropriate for images of stamps, souvenir sheets, stamped covers, postcards, and postage meter marks issued by state entities.
[edit] Latvia
According to the Copyright Law of the Republic of Latvia: of April 6, 2000 ,Section 6, "State approved, as well as internationally recognised official symbols and signs" are "Non-Protected Works", therefore all stamps are in Public Domain. Each image should be tagged with this Template:PD-LV-exempt template.
[edit] Manchukuo
Manchukuo was founded in 1932 after Japanese troops occupied Northeast China and dissolved by the Soviet Union in 1945. As China has always claimed Northeast China without recognizing Manchukuo, any copyright of Manchukuo stamps would have expired no later on 1 January 1996 as China limits corporate copyright to 50 years since publication and it is no longer clear which individual designed these stamps. Please tag Template:PD-Manchukuo-stamps to each image.
[edit] Moldova
According to the law on Copyright of the Republic of Moldova no. 293-XIII of November 23, 1994 (Amended by Law no. 1268-XV, of July 25, 2002) Article 7. refers to "State emblems and official signs (flags, armorial bearings, decorations, monetary signs, etc.)" as Works Not Protected by Copyright; therefore images of stamps are deemed to be in the public domain. Please tag Template:PD-MD-exempt template to each such image.
[edit] The Netherlands
See article in Dutch on http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Beleid_voor_gebruik_van_media/Postzegels.
Prior to 1 January 1989, the government-owned corporation PTT made the stamps as being created by the company and as such was considered their author. The rule applies in The Netherlands that copyright expires 70 years after 1 January after death of the author.
From 1 January 1989 onwards, the PTT became the private company TNT Post. The rules are sometimes different compared to the period before 01-01-1989; for example, when there are more than one author of a stamp.
[edit] New Zealand
In New Zealand, the Crown Copyright is defined by Sections 2(1), 26 et 27 of the 1994 Copyright Act. It lasts 100 years, with exceptions. It protects the work created by a person employed or engaged by the Crown, Ministers of the Crown, offices of Parliament and government departments. See the article on the Wikipedia in English.
According to this law, images of New Zealand stamps are in the public domain :
- 50 years after issue for stamps issued before 31 December 1944 (Template:PD-NZ-50-years on the Wikipedia in English). Use Template:PD-NZ-50-years ;
- 100 years after issue for stamps issued between 1 January 1945 and the 31 March 1987 by the New Zealand Post Office as a Department of the Government. Use Template:PD-NZ-100-years ;
[edit] Ottoman Empire
All stamps issued in the Ottoman Empire are in the public domain, use {{PD-Ottoman}}. For stamps issued by the Rupublic of Turkey after 1923, see Turkey.
[edit] Pakistan
All stamps issued by Pakistan are copyright under section 2, "artistic work," of the Copyright Ordinance of 1962
[edit] Paraguay
The basic copyright law of Paraguay is Law N° 1328/98 on Copyright and Related Rights, as entered into force on October 20, 1998. Postage stamps are all in the public domain, as confirmed in an email message dated 15 January 2007 from Graciela Mármol, Head of Philatelic Advisory, Government of Paraguay. For text, see discussion. Jack Child 13:38, 15 January 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Romania
According to the Romanian Law on Copyright and Neighboring Rights Law no. 8/1996 of March 14, 1996 with further amendments Chapter 3 Article 9 "means of payment" shall not benefit from the legal protection accorded to copyright; therefore images of stamps are deemed to be in the public domain. Please tag Template:PD-RO-exempt template to each such image.
[edit] Russia
Pursuant to Article 8 of Russian Federation Law No. 5351-I On Copyright and Associated Rights dated July 9, 1993, "official signs and symbols" are not copyrighted. Pursuant to Article 2 of Federal Law No. 176-FZ of the Russian Federation On Postal Service dated July 17, 1999, official signs of postage include "stamps and other signs put on mail and evidencing that postage has been paid".
The PD-RU-exempt template is appropriate because of its third subclause of Article 8.
[edit] South Africa
South African stamps older than 50 years are in the public domain, use Template:PD-SAGov
[edit] Spain
Communication with Spain's Philatelic Bureau suggests no public domain. Permission to scan images of Spanish stamps requires a specific request to José Luis Fernandez Reyero, Director de Filatelia, Sociedad Estatal de Correos y Telégrafos, S.A., Vía Dublin, 7, 28070 Madrid, Spain. For text, see discussion. Jack Child 23:50, 19 January 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Tajikistan
The stamps of Tajikistan are in public domain. Use the Template:PD-TJ-exempt tag to each image.
[edit] Thailand
The copyright of postage stamps is held by Thailand Post and lasts 50 years. See full text of Copyright Act B.E. 2537 (1994). (Section 14, 19, 32)
[edit] Turkey
The current copyright law of Turkey provides that copyright owned by a legal entity lasts for 70 years from first publication, and that copyright owned by an individual lasts for 70 years from death. See Law No. 5846 (12 May, 1951, as amended), Art. 27. That law provides that the creator of a work owns the copyright, except where the creator is employed by someone else, including an entity, in which case the employer or entity owns the copyright. Id., Art. 8. The copyright for stamps designed by employees of the Turkish government therefore should belong to the Turkish government and should last 70 years from publication.
Thus, any stamp issued 70 or more years ago is public domain.
[edit] Turkmenistan
According to Article 1061 of the Civil Code of Turkmenistan of July 17, 1998, state symbols and signs (flag, coat of arms, anthem, awards, banknotes and other signs) are not copyrightable; therefore the postage stamps of Turkmenistan are in public domain. Use the Template:PD-TK-exempt tag to each image.
[edit] Ukraine
According to the Article 10 of the Law of Ukraine on Copyright and Related rights, all Ukrainian stamps are in the public domain. They are defined as "state signs" in the Law of Ukraine On Postal Service (4 October 2001) :
- in Ukrainian : Закон України. Про поштовий зв'язок
- поштова марка - державний знак, виготовлений у встановленому законодавством порядку із зазначенням його номінальної вартості та держави, який є засобом оплати послуг поштового зв'язку, що надаються національним оператором.
- translated into English The Law of Ukraine. On Postal Service (October 4, 2001; N 2759-III)
- postage stamp means a state sign manufactured according to the procedure set forth by legislation, with specified face value and state, serving as the tool of payment for postal services provided by the national operator.
The PD-UA-exempt template applies because of its d) point.
[edit] United Arab Emirates
The 2002 UAE law states that such works as stamps are protected for 50 years starting from 1 January of the publication year. Yet the 1992 law gave a 25 years copyright protection (starting from the publication date). This means that all UAE postage stamps printed before 1977 are in public domain. Stamps issued after that year should wait 50 years.
One may tag Template:PD-United Arab Emirates stamp to any such image.
[edit] United States
Title 17 of the United States Code (source : en:United States Postal Service) :
- public domain if issued before 31 December 1977
- copyrighted by the United States Postal Service after 1 January 1978 (the date on which the Copyright Act of 1976 went into effect). [2] Written permission is needed, see USPS site.
[edit] United Kingdom
Many British stamps are "Crown Copyright", which expires after 50 years and puts the stamps in the public domain. (See en:Crown copyright.) This would also apply to the stamps of the various territories of the British Empire prior to their independence.
Following the creation of the Royal Mail as a separate legal entity the copyright of new British stamps has been held by Royal Mail in its own right.
[edit] Universal Postal Union/ WADP/ WNS
The Universal Postal Union, in conjunction with the World Association for the Development of Philately (WADP), has developed the WADP Numbering System (WNS), launched on 1 January 2002. The web site (www.wnsstamps.ch/en/) has entries for some 160 countries and emitting postal entities, with over 25,000 registered stamps since 2002. Many of them have images, which generally remain copyrighted by the issuing country, but which the UPU and WADP permit to be downloaded. See discussion.
[edit] USSR
Since, according to intergovernmental and international treaties, Russian Federation is a legal successor to the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the tag PD-RU-exempt (please see "Russia" above) also applies to images of postage stamps, stamped covers and stamped post cards (postal stationery) of the RSFSR and USSR.
