4 replies to this topic

[jessicadbury]

Hi there,

 

My names Jessica Holland and I work for a video production company called FLETCHERWILSON. We're currently in the process of making an independent documentary movie called Driven. It's a rather special love story told through two road trips that happen 50 years apart in the same 1930's London taxi cab. If you have the time there's a website here with more info:

 

www.driven-movie.com

 

Onto my actual question! - My query is into an old map we've acquired that we'd like to use in the movie. We're aware that Weber Costello Publishers are no longer in business but we'd still very much like to get permission somehow to use the map in our film. So essentially i'm posting here to see if anyone could offer some insight into how we'd go about getting the rights to use the map. I've attached a picture of the map showing its publishing details. I'm not even sure if this is an appropriate place to post but any help you'd be able to give me would be great as I've really got no clue where to start!

 

Thanks in advance to anyone who can offer some insight!

Jessica Holland

Attached Files

•  Driven Map.JPG   132.9K   22 downloads

[Hans van der Maarel]

When was the map published?

[Michael Schmeling]

If the company is out of business it might be difficult to find anyone who could give you permission, and I guess the map is not old enough for its copyright to be expired.

It might actually be easier (or at least safer) to make a new map in a very similar 'vintage' look.

[Dennis McClendon]

I don't know if I can provide a definitive answer, but Weber Costello last advertised for help wanted ("growing mfr. seeks product development specialist") in the Chicago Tribune in 1977.  At that time they were located at 1900 N. Narragansett Ave. in Chicago.

 

A trademark search on Weber Costello shows it as filed in 1992 but now considered a dead trademark.  The registrant at that time was WEBER COSTELLO, INC., 200 Academic Way, Troy MO 63379.  That address was used by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishers, which sells classroom materials, so that would be a very promising lead to run down.

[Melita Kennedy]

Adding to Dennis's information, the Chamber of Commerce lists the phone number as (636) 528-9500. Although a Google search on that number is turning up someone named Barry John Himel. Or possibly Robert/Bob Nichols. Hmmm. The sign on the street just says "Harcourt", and their number may be (636) 528-8110.