Can you use newspaper clippings that are more than fifty years old in saleable crafts?

Answer 1

I would be concerned with the longevity of the paper, since it is not archival safe... the acids in the newsprint will cause the paper to deteriorate & fall apart eventually. Get some archival spray at a scrapbook store. As for the copyright issue, newspapers and clippings are protectable property, so it is likely that clippings will still be copyrighted (assuming they were properly copyrighted when published, and renewed if necessary). However, if you purchased copies of the newspapers then remove the clippings, the "first sale doctrine" will permit you to display them, sell them, etc. by themselves. However, if you use copyrighted works to create new "transformative" works (say a collage or an historic compilation, or mount them to new pages forming a book, you may need permission to make commerial advantage of your works. That is because the first sale doctrine does not override the copyright owner's exclusive right to create "derivative works". In one famous 1939 case, National Geographic stopped a company from clipping articles and pictures from magazines, mounting them together with related articles and selling them.

Answer 2

Yes, you can use newspaper clippings that are more than fifty years old in saleable crafts as long as you are not violating any copyright laws. It's always a good idea to verify the copyright status of the clippings or use them in a way that falls under fair use to avoid any legal issues. Consider using the clippings in decoupage, mixed media art, or other creative projects that transform the original material.