The Center of Southwest Studies seeks to make its collections as widely accessible as possible while ensuring responsible use and long-term preservation. The following conditions govern the purchase and use of digital reproductions from the Center’s collections.
License and Scope of Use
- Reproductions are provided under a non-exclusive license for the specific use described by the requester and approved by the Center. Permission is granted for one-time use only. Any additional use, format, edition, or distribution requires new written permission and may be subject to additional fees.
- Possession of a digital file or print does not, by itself, constitute permission to publish, distribute, or reproduce the material.
- Users may not transfer, sublicense, or authorize others to use reproductions without written permission.
- The Center reserves the right to decline requests that conflict with its policies, mission, or stewardship responsibilities.
Copyright and Legal Responsibility
- The Center of Southwest Studies does not claim copyright unless explicitly stated. Responsibility for determining and securing any necessary copyright permissions, rights of privacy, or other third-party permissions rests entirely with the user.
- All materials are provided without representation or warranty as to copyright or usage rights. Use of reproduced materials is undertaken at the user’s own risk. Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Center of Southwest Studies, Fort Lewis College, and their employees from any claims arising from the use of reproduced materials, including claims of copyright infringement, invasion of privacy, or defamation.
Cultural and Ethical Responsibility
- The Center of Southwest Studies is committed to the respectful stewardship of culturally sensitive materials, including those representing Indigenous peoples and communities. Patrons are responsible for ensuring that all materials are used in an ethical and culturally appropriate manner, including seeking consultation or permission from the community or communities represented as appropriate.
- Possession of a reproduction or permission to use materials from the Center does not replace or supersede the rights, interests, or cultural authority of descendant or source communities. Users are expected to consider cultural protocols, community preferences, and potential impacts when reproducing or publishing materials, particularly images depicting Native American individuals, ceremonies, or culturally significant objects.
- The Center encourages users to engage directly with represented communities when questions of appropriate use arise and reserves the right to decline requests that raise ethical or cultural concerns.
Fees and Payment
- Reproduction fees and permission or licensing fees are assessed separately.
- All orders must be prepaid, and all sales are final.
- Requests involving materials that require specialized handling or present unusual scanning or production challenges may incur additional fees. The Center will provide an estimate of costs prior to beginning work.
Image Integrity and Modifications
- Images may not be used in a misleading manner or altered in ways that compromise their historical, cultural, or contextual integrity. Standard cropping and resizing are permitted. Any additional alteration—including retouching, compositing, or significant modification—requires prior written approval.
- If an image is cropped, it must be clearly identified as a detail of the original image.
Attribution
- Proper credit is required for all published or distributed uses. The preferred credit line is:
- Courtesy of Fort Lewis College, Center of Southwest Studies, [Collection Name / Call Number], creator and/or donor if known.
- The Center requests a complimentary copy of any publication or product that includes reproduced materials.
Personal Use
- Reproductions provided for personal use may be used only once and only for the purpose stated in the request. Personal-use images may not be published, distributed, sublicensed, or shared with others, and may not be used for commercial, nonprofit, editorial, or public purposes without prior written permission.
Commercial, Editorial, and Nonprofit Use
- Use of reproductions for commercial, nonprofit, editorial, exhibition, or public distribution purposes requires a signed permission agreement. The Center reserves the right to deny permission to individuals or organizations that do not agree to the stated terms.
Definitions
- Personal Use: The image(s) will be used only in a private home or office. They will not be displayed in a sales area or reproduced for any purpose.
- Non-Profit: The image(s) will be published, displayed, or broadcast by a 501(c)(3) organization with proof of non-profit status.
- Commercial: The image(s) will be published, displayed, or broadcast in a commercial environment for profit.
- Public Display: The image(s) will be displayed in a public environment, such as a restaurant, sales office, reception area, or hotel lobby/room.