Usage & Reproduction Forms

Fees for photocopies, print and film duplication and commercial usage of SDASM images/film apply. Please print, complete, and submit the applicable two-page forms: Reproduction and Usage Fee Schedule and Reproduction Request Form and Contract and Film Reproduction Request Form. Please submit completed forms to archives@sdasm.org or mail to San Diego Air & Space Museum, Library & Archives, 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101. If you have any questions please contact the Library at 619-234-8291 x126.

Frequently Asked Questions

May I use San Diego Air & Space Museum (SDASM) images/film…

1. ... for a report or use in a classroom? A. Yes. SDASM images/film are available for use, free of charge, in non-commercial academic work. Such use is encouraged by the Museum. 

2. ... on my personal web page? A. Not without the expressed approval of SDASM. See Image/Film Usage above. 

3. ... on an educational web site? A. Yes. SDASM images/film are available for use, free of charge, in non-commercial academic work. Use must credit San Diego Air & Space Museum. 

4. ... for a print publication? A. Not without the expressed approval of SDASM. See Image/Film Usage above. 

5. ... that is not an SDASM-copyrighted image? A. The potential user should contact the holder for permission. If SDASM knows the holder of the copyright, that information will be provided. However, the ultimate responsibility for confirming the copyright holder of an images/film lies with the potential user. SDASM can not grant permission for the use of images/film known not to belong to SDASM. 

6. ... that is not credited to any copyright holder? A. If there is no known images/film credit, assume that SDASM holds the copyright. Use is granted only through the expressed approval of SDASM. See Image/Film Usage above.

Are images/video that are public domain and held in the SDASM collection free to use?

No. While SDASM does not, and can not, claim copyright ownership of images/film considered in the public domain, SDASM reserves the right to require a fee for their use. This nominal fee enables the Museum to continue maintaining the collection so others may benefit from its existence in the future.

Why does SDASM require permission for use of images/film? 

The image/film usage policies of SDASM have been established to ensure that images/film are used appropriately and accurately. Because images/film held in SDASM’s collection are the property of SDASM, serve to benefit the educational mission of the Museum, and because SDASM is responsible for the maintenance of the collection (and, thereby, the costs). Reproduction and usage fees help offset the cost of collection care and maintenance. As promised to its donors, the Museum reserves the right to require permission and/or a fee for use of images/film it holds regardless of copyright status.

How do I obtain permission to use images/film in SDASM’s collection?

The potential user should first determine the copyright owner of the image/film and contact the holder for permission. If SDASM knows the holder of the copyright, that information will be provided. However, the ultimate responsibility for confirming the copyright holder of an images/film lies with the potential user. SDASM can not grant permission for the use of images/film known not to belong to SDASM.

The Flickr download will work for my publisher. I only need to pay usage. Why am I being charged the reproduction fee for an already digitized image? 

Our free Flickr downloads are only available for personal or K-12 in-classroom use. Payment is still required for the hi-res digital version of the image for any usage category that is not considered personal or K-12 in-classroom use. Any publication or usage outside of these categories requires a reproduction fee. Digital reproduction fees directly support care of the Library & Archives collection and enable the Museum to continue maintaining the collection so others may benefit from its existence in the future.

The image says public domain or no known copyright holder. Why are fees charged?

The San Diego Air & Space Museum does not necessarily hold the full copyrights to all items in its collection. If the Creation is subject to copyright restrictions, the copyright remains with the producer or publisher of the Creation or others to whom the copyright may have been assigned. If it is determined that SDASM is not the copyright holder, the researcher is responsible for obtaining permission from the copyright holder before publishing any of this material.

The San Diego Air & Space Museum does retain the full copyrights to reproduce and distribute copies of material in its collection and collect fees for these services. 100% of reproduction and usage fees collection support the care and preservation of the Library & Archives collection for the public. 

I’m a small, not-for-profit/educational publisher. Do you offer discounted rates? 

Yes, smaller print runs are discounted. Fees are structured on number of copies printed. Refer to our fee schedule for current rates. 

My book is educational/scholarly, why am I charged commercial use? 

Any published work that earns an income is considered commercial in terms of usage. Many academic and scholarly publishers are commercial in nature. The Applicant can provide proof of nonprofit or tax exempt status for the nonprofit or scholarly rates. 

To use SDASM images in a manner not outlined above, contact the Library & Archives at the San Diego Air & Space Museum: archives@sdasm.org or 619-234-8291 x126. Permission for image use is granted on a case-by-case basis. A research assistance fee may also apply depending on the staff time necessary to process a request.