More Thoughts on the Rights Element

The Rights Element is one of the most straightforward of the elements in terms of what it should contain and why it is there.  By definition, it simply "includes a statement about various property rights associated with the resource, including intellectual property rights." Operationally, it establishes who the rightsholder is and frequently offers contact information for prospective users.

I looked over the guidelines linked from our wiki and I think the CARLI version is probably the most straightforward and applicable to our project.  The left side is simply labeled "Rights" and the right side is both non-threatening in tone and clear in its intent and directions.  I particularly like the second example:

All rights held by William Rainey Harper College Archives. For permission to reproduce, distribute, or otherwise use this image, please contact Firstname Lastname at xxx@harpercollege.edu.

Here is an actual example from the Great Lakes Digital Collection (Newberry Library):

Rights All rights reserved by the Newberry Library. Permission to reproduce in any format must be requested in writing. Contact Photoduplication Department, Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St., Chicago, IL 60610. Phone: 312-255-3566. E-mail: photoduplication@newberry.org

I think this would translate into one simple statement that could be used for every image, something like:

Rights All rights reserved by the University of Alabama. Permission to reproduce in any format must be requested in writing. Contact [appropriate department at UA, phone: ____, email:____ ]

Right now I'm trying to find out what department that will actually be.  Several departments seem to hold licensing rights to images and trademarks:  Office of University Advancement, University Athletics, Hoole Library, even the Office of Archaeological Research. I've requested clarification on ownership from the client.

In the meantime, how is this looking to everyone?  Feedback welcome!