Oh my gosh, you people. Copyright doesn't last forever. Not that I need to explain myself here, but I will, because this is the internet where everyone wants to be right, and you're wrong:
1. Baltimore Blues sheet music design: Not under copyright protection. Here's what the internet tells me about California copyright law (because I did a bit more research than "a quick Google search"), and these laws are similar in other states:
"In California, the duration of copyright protection generally lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years, for works created after 1978. For anonymous works, pseudonymous works, or works made for hire, the term is 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever expires first. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
For works created on or after January 1, 1978:
- Life of the author plus 70 years: This is the standard term for works created by a single individual.
- 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter: This applies to anonymous works, pseudonymous works, or works made for hire.
For works created before January 1, 1978:
- The duration is more complex and depends on whether the work was published or registered before that date.
- Generally, these works have a term of 95 years from publication if the copyright was still valid in 1978.
Public Domain:
When copyright protection expires, a work enters the public domain, meaning it can be used by anyone without permission. Renewal:
For works copyrighted before 1978, renewal of copyright was sometimes required, but this is no longer the case for works created after 1978. Works for Hire:
These are works created by an employee within the scope of their employment, or commissioned under a written agreement. Copyright for these works is held by the employer or commissioning party."
This image was published in 1917, so copyright lasts for 95 years--so copyright expired in 2012. As it says above, when copyright protection expires, a work enters the public domain, meaning it can be used by anyone without permission.
2. Source image for Big Bill Broonzy photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Big_Bill_Broonzy#/media/File:Big_Bill_Broonzy_(1951_publ..., clearly marked public domain
And since I created the original artwork, I own the copyright to that artwork.
3. Source image for B.B. King photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:B._B._King_in_Ann_Arbor.jpg "This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published in the United States between 1930 and 1977, inclusive, without a copyright notice."
And since I created the original artwork, I own the copyright to that artwork.
4. G.W. Bridge: My original photo and artwork (therefore I own the copyright). As a government-owned public structure, the George Washington Bridge falls into the category of landmarks that are typically permissible to photograph and sell images of, particularly for editorial or artistic use.
5. 12-Bar Blues t-shirt: My original artwork (therefore I own the copyright).
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In any case, Printify had no problem with the content of these images. The issue was technical, and happily has been solved.
