Copyright & Use

The materials available on Pieces of the Past are from the photograph collection of Des Moines Historical Society (DMHS), located in Des Moines, Washington.

With appropriate permission, DMHS would be happy to provide reasonably priced reproductions of their photographs for your personal or commercial use. The income from the lab and use fees helps to support our ongoing efforts to preserve and make accessible these primary source documents of Des Moines area history.

Before downloading files or to order copies of photographs from this Web site, you must first read the following photographic reproduction policy that defines copyright, fair use, personal use, and commercial use.

Your acceptance of our photographs in any medium constitutes the acknowledgement, understanding, and acceptance of the terms and conditions of use outlined below.

Photograph Reproduction Policy

Copyright —
Copyright protection is provided by laws of the United States and other countries to the creators of "original works of authorship" including literary, dramatic, artistic, musical, and certain other intellectual works. This Web site is such a work and is protected by copyright law. United States Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) restricts unauthorized use of copyrighted material; potential users must obtain permission from the copyright holder.

The nature of historical archival photograph collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Please contact Des Moines Historical Society if you have additional information regarding the images found in Pieces of the Past.

Fair Use —
The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. DMHS welcomes fair use of our Web site and its contents. All other uses require written permission from the owning institution. Please cite the Image Number and “Des Moines (Washington) Historical Society Photograph Collection.”

Personal Use —
Personal use requires written permission from the owner, and includes reference, research, and any other use, provided all such uses are limited to private, non-commercial use.

Commercial Use —
You must send an inquiry to DMHS for any other activities beyond fair or personal use. These include but are not limited to electronic or paper publishing, video production, exhibits, product presentations, interior design, advertising, or similar commercial purposes. Users assume full responsibility for any infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.

Ordering Reproductions —
To order reproductions in traditional photographic media, such as prints or slides, or in digital format, please see the Ordering information at the bottom of this page. Only DMHS can grant permission for reproduction and use.

Ordering Reproductions

To order reproductions in traditional photographic media, such as prints or slides, or in digital format, please contact Des Moines Historical Society at:

Des Moines Historical Society
PO Box 98055
Des Moines, WA 98198-0055

Phone: 206-824-5226

Email: info@dmhs.org

Please state the best method and time for a Society volunteer to contact you.