I would like to know if those older publications really are covered by copyright.
This is what I found:
Scope of Copyright Protection
Copyright protection generally gives the owner of the copyright the exclusive right to do the following:
- To reproduce the work;
- To prepare derivative works based upon the work;
- To distribute copies of the work to the public;
- To perform the work publicly;
- To display the copyrighted work publicly, and;
- In the case of sound recordings, to perform the work publicly by means of a digital audio transmission.
The owner may also authorize others to exercise these rights.
For works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection will endure for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years. In the case of a joint work, the term lasts for 70 years after the last surviving author's death. For anonymous and pseudonymous works and works made for hire, the term will be 95 years from the year of first publication or 120 years from the year of creation, whichever expires first.
However, there are some very important limitations on the reach of copyright protections. The first and most important is the doctrine of fair use, which allows others to use portions of copyrighted works for purposes such as reviews, commentary, news and scholarship. Second, items which are not copyrightable, such as titles, names, common facts and ideas are not protected. Third, some works are in the public domain and may be used by anyone. This includes works where the copyright has expired.
How long does copyright protection last?Works Originally Created On or After January 1, 1978 - For works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection will endure for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years. In the case of a joint work, the term lasts for 70 years after the last surviving author's death. For anonymous and pseudonymous works and works made for hire, the term will be 95 years from the year of first publication or 120 years from the year of creation, whichever expires first.
Works Originally Created Before January 1, 1978, But Not Published or Registered By That Date - For works created but not published or registered before January 1, 1978, the term endures for life of the author plus 70 years, but in no case will expire earlier than December 31, 2002. If the work is published before December 31, 2002, the term will not expire before December 31, 2047.
Works Originally Created and Published or Registered Before January 1, 1978 - For pre-1978 works still in their original or renewal term of copyright, the total term is extended to 95 years from the date that copyright was originally secured.
Is there anything that cannot be protected by copyright?Several categories of material are generally not eligible for federal copyright protection. These include among others:
- Works that have not been fixed in a tangible form of expression, (for example, choreographic works that have not been notated or recorded, or improvisational speeches or performances that have not been written or recorded)
- Titles, names, short phrases, and slogans (see Trademarks); familiar symbols or designs; mere variations of typographic ornamentation, lettering, or coloring; mere listings of ingredients or contents
- Ideas, procedures, methods, systems, processes, concepts, principles, discoveries, or devices, as distinguished from a description, explanation, or illustration.
- Works consisting entirely of information that is common property and containing no original authorship (for example: standard calendars, height and weight charts, tape measures and rulers, and lists or tables taken from public documents or other common sources)
http://www.legalzoom.com/law_library/copyrights/protection.html