Stamp Catalogue Pages :

You may be allowed to copy them but only for yourself!
I can't see an issue with it but also find it difficult to see the point in destroying a book.
Each to their own and I guess there is pretty much a market for anything.

Yeah, but I'm pretty sure selling the duplicates on ebay does not constitute a backup

This morning, I ordered the pages for British Antarctica -- I'll let you know when I get them.

KirkS

That is correct, in the sense that you have the right to make a backup (or archival) copy. However, you may not sell that copy because it is archival only. Also, when you sell your original, you also lose any rights to keep the archival copy; you are obligated to destroy that archival copy or give to new owner -- you cannot "sell" the archival copy. That right to make or possess an archival copy is transferred to the new owner.

What some sellers are doing is they are selling the country page, that may also include the first page of the next country. For example, they sell the Australia pages, but then someone may want to buy the Austria pages later on. That first Austria page was sold along with the rest of the Australia pages. Some sellers will make a color copy of that page before they ship off the Australia pages, and then use that color copy when they sell the Austria pages. That, is illegal.

Regarding computer software, technically you are permitted 3 copies! The original software media, you can also make an archival backup, AND of course the copy on your computer harddrive/memory! That is the only exception that I know of.

When you make a mp3 or copy music off a CD onto your computer to listen, that is also legal. Basically, your original audio CD becomes your archive, and the copy on your mp3 player or computer is your "working" copy. However, then you are not permitted to "lend" your original CD to someone else to listen to, because that is your archival copy.

Confusing, isn't it?

k

AnthonyUK




I would hold that true if it was a novel,... fiction or non fiction but we are talking about a catalogue.

It doesn't matter whether the book is fiction or nonfiction, the publishing company (Scott's, Gibbons, who ever) owns the copyright to the work. Most libraries have notices on their photocopiers warning patrons about copyright laws and that it is illegal to copy the books. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen, they're really just covering themselves legally by putting up the notice.
Scott's posts a nice long copyright notice in the front of their catalogue, including "d) Such use is not competitive with the business of the copyright owner" which selling the pages would be.

Beyond the "fair use" clause in the copyright laws, it is illegal to copy books at the library because the book doesn't belong to you -- it belongs to the library. If you owned the book, it is NOT illegal to make a copy for yourself. It IS illegal if you do not own the book. It is also illegal if you have already made an archival copy. And it is illegal to make a copy to sell.

You are correct, the library is simply covering their back. However, if they know someone is copying the entire book, they are not off the hook. While they are not responsible for enforcement of laws, they are responsible if they KNOWINGLY allow someone to use their facilities/equipment to break laws. I have never known a library to be prosecuted for such, but I do know of copying businesses that have received cease and desist orders from attorney generals regarding this matter.



No, selling pages would not be a violation of copyright laws; that is not the point of that clause in the license agreement. Even if it was, their license statement does not supersede copyright laws, regardless of what they might state. Otherwise, it would be illegal for you (and any other non-authorized Scott dealer) to resell the entire catalog.

[EDIT: Please note, obviously US copyright laws only apply within the US. So the above statements may or may not apply to those living outside the US.]

Be careful not to be stung,
yesterday I saw a Stanley Gibbons pages of Austria $7

But it was Catalogue 2004
I can buy the whole set of 2004 gibbons catalogues for $12

Yes, buying older catalog pages may or may not be economical. Complete older catalogs are pretty cheap.

However, one may also need to factor the shipping costs (especially overseas), as well as the extra space taken up by those thick stamp catalogs.

I have bought a couple of these items for about $2 a piece for some of the countries that I collect

They have been actual pages from the Scotts catalogue and I have found them good value because they compliment my SG catalogues particularly in regards to numbering

Given that I dont collect "whole" world they are a cheap and reliable way for me to update every so often my reference material

I bought the pages for the few countries that I collect. They are definitely from the actual catalogs, and not some photocopies. Very happy with them, as it was a lot cheaper for me, since I only collect a few select countries, and really don't need to buy a full set (which would wipe out my stamp budget for several months, anyhow). I put them in cheap sheet protectors from the office supply store, and into a 3-ring binder.

I think the only "short" set I got was the actual Yugoslavia pages, which omitted the first page (covering the SHS Croatia issues, which are so far down my wantlist I will probably be ready to update with the full lot of pages before I start seriously collecting)

Before I bought my full set of catalogs a couple of years ago, and when I was only interested in South Korea, I bought one of these original cut ups. Very happy with it. I'm sure the sellers decide what the most marketable countries are when they have to cut the pages out. I personally think this is a real eco-friendly way to deal with catalogs. I think it's win/win situation for buyer and seller.

Someone anyway has beeen selling pages from catalogues for many years now on ebay
Some are taken straight from catalogues others print them out from CD format.
In General I don't care for it.

But I've aways wondered why the stamp catalogue publizers won't or can't do custom catalogues.
Say if I wanted a Russian catalogue including all nations that were one time included both the Imperial & Soviet Russia.
They could do by region or even willy-nilly!
Save on paper cost & improve profit margins.
Supplements can be made for updates/correction & just replace a few pages.
It's what I would have done if I was in charge since the cost of complete catalogues is so great!

Minkus tried the looseleaf catalog approach and failed miserably. Of course, at that time, they didn't have the catalog customer base that Scott had. In fact, it was toward the end of the Minkus catalog -- so they were probably desperate to try the thing that catalog makers avoid.

Scott has also tried single country catalogs, both print and CD. Again, sales were miserable.

The problem is generating enough volume sales. We focus a lot on the paper/print cost savins. However, there are also costs associated with compiling/updating everything -- and that base cost is quite significant. Unless the sales volume exceeds a threshold, there is no profit margin. Therein lies the problem -- the number of non-casual collectors (at least in the US) is dwindling rapidly. And so Scott has continued to rely on trying to get collectors/dealers to buy as many catalogs as frequently as possible, to generate enough sales volume to make a profit.

I'm not convinced that Amos Publishing has mastered the art of minimizing price to maximize profit. If Scott sold their software CD for $100+, I'd buy a set every year. Instead, they are surveying to see if people would be willing to pay $150 for an annual online subscription. They can't be serious. Like many collectors (even advanced collectors), there is no way I'm going to spend $300+ every year for new set of print catalogs. As long as Scott insists on releasing a complete set of print catalogs every year (instead of in parts) and relying on that for profitability, it will be a losing battle. I'm glad they've made a move toward software/online in the past decade, but I don't think they are doing it in a smart way. It doesn't make sense to sell the software for $5-$10 cheaper than the print catalog. Is there any wonder there is a huge aftermarket for past edition print catalogs? Not to mention a significant amount of pirated Scott software?

OK, I'll shut up.

FYI/Update:

I ordered two sets of pages and received them today. The pages are genuine and have been carefully removed from an actual catalog.

However, I was very disappointed with the packaging and mailing. One set was loose in the envelope, the other set (only 3 pages) had a large paperclip on them. Both sets were placed in plain brown 8x10 envelope and mailed without any cardboard inserts, stiff backing, etc.

Of course the USPS folded the envelope, plus the general handling and shuffling of the envelope caused the paperclip to chew on the short set -- no substantial tearing, but permanent creases and small rips.

Shipping charges were combined on the two lots to $1.55. There was $1.08 of actual postage and I guess the other $0.47 was for the envelope and paperclip. If I had known, I would have paid extra for proper packaging.

Granted, it's not the seller's fault that the USPS folded the envelope, but as many of these as he's sold, I think he should have been a little more cautious.

KirkS