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Public domain (copyright free) resources in human gross anatomy
Author(s) -
Albrecht Gene H.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.827.6
Subject(s) - public domain , domain (mathematical analysis) , gross anatomy , computer science , anatomy , medicine , history , mathematics , mathematical analysis , archaeology
Anatomy is the most visual of the basic medical sciences. Imagine teaching anatomy using words alone without illustrations that show structure, relationships, and function. The visual nature of anatomy is even more important as student learning evolves from books to electronic resources with their emphasis on graphic media. Recently published texts, atlases, and online sites help bridge the transition from text to screen but their use by anatomists wanting to develop and distribute teaching materials is severely limited by the fair use doctrine of U.S. copyright law. Older textbooks and atlases, however, contain thousands of images that can be used legally without restriction because their copyright has expired. Any publication from anywhere in the world published before 1923 is now in the public domain as are most U.S. works from 1923–1964 because their copyright was not renewed after 28 years. Examples include Poirier's c. 1900 5 volume text (3,487 illustrations), Rauber's c. 1920 6 volume text/atlas (2,230), Sobotta's 1922 3 volume atlas (774), Gray's 1924 text (1,283), Morris’ 1933 text (1,166), and Grant's 1962 atlas (665). The anatomical illustrations from these public domain works can be scanned, copied, edited, revised, combined, cropped, colorized, and otherwise used in any way in any number in teaching materials developed by anybody in any format with unlimited distribution.