AmateurSpaceImages.com, A site to gather great amateur-processed space images Options

[elakdawalla]

I can't believe I haven't started a dedicated thread on this before now!! I wanted to open a discussion on the Planetary Society's plans to develop a website called AmateurSpaceImages.com, a place that will collect amateur-processed space images into one place that is easy to browse and search for great pictures, and from which you'll be able to share them easily via social networks. The organization of the site will be based on Photojournal, which is itself based on the way the PDS structures space data -- all images will be filed under the "target" and "mission" and "instrument," plus there will be image titles, captions, and correct credits; plus there'll be tags and a search feature. The site is currently under development and is planned for launch early next year (hopefully March, if the schedule doesn't slip). We're now raising funds from the community to support its development.

Some of you have been emailing me privately with questions; I think it'd be neater (and less effort for me ) to have that discussion in the open, on this thread. If for some reason you'd like your question to be anonymous, you can email me and I'll post it here. Since this is a website we are creating especially for the community that has grown up in and around UMSF, I hope you will participate in its formation!

[ElkGroveDan]

Yes. In general, under U.S. law both copyright and patents maybe held by someone who makes improvements to a previous copyright or patent.

Normally it's a risky thing to invest a whole lot of time and money in someone else's patent or copyright because while they would have to pay you to use or sell the improvements, you would not be able to use the newer combined invention or art without the approval of the original copyright or patent holder. In the case of NASA images however where there is a blanket copyright release for most uses, there exist very few underlying copyright restrictions for the second artist. It therefore makes sense to go ahead and improve on those images for fame, fortune or entertainment.