USSR archival footage copyright issues?

[DrEskaton]

I know that photos and movies generated by the US government or army are public domain. Whats the deal with copyright on soviet archival footage? Same for Communist China government created footage?

Anyone got free online sources for soviet archival material?

[evomedia]

About copyright in russia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_in_Russia

[getkieron]

I know that photos and movies generated by the US government or army are public domain. Whats the deal with copyright on soviet archival footage? Same for Communist China government created footage?

Anyone got free online sources for soviet archival material?

Anything pre-1989 in Russia is fair game. Or rather "fair use" in news speak.
Fair use, so don't distort and re-edit to make people look bad, but fair game for respectful remix and recirculation. Avoid faces and personal stuff.
After 1989 and certainly after 1991 when the tanks rolled into Moscow, be careful with Soviet footage as this was when the state assets became essentially privatised.

Communist China? - be very selective in editing, and you'll never get it to broadcast if it's official party videos cut together with a video nasty, so I guess it's fine for YouTube if you don't use real names...

It's all about context and audience numbers. If you're looking to sell it as part of a package, or show it on TV for money, then you need basic legal assurance that just like MC Hammer, you can't be touched by this.

Hope that helps! Let's be careful out there... ;)