Do they? - under the current law I would suppose they do. Should they? - After 56 years, It is my opinion that they should not. If it's a picture worth caring about, it is most likely of wider cultural value, and should be public domain by then. If it isn't worth caring about, then it's a moot point.
I could even be alright with a copyright that extended through the life of the work's creator - but I think it is beyond ridiculous that artistic works have gained a seemingly indefinite-length copyright.
Why shouldn’t I protect my product. I just don’t get why people don’t think I should. Can I take apart my Smith and Wesson 1911 and start making it in my garage? Or are there licenses and patents that make that illegal. It is the same thing.
You should protect your product - but there is no reason that someone's estate should reap benefits indefinitely from someone long gone.
As far as patents - apparently it's not the same thing, since the laws differ, but they too expire after a given amount of time (and rightly so). It is the fact that they expire that allows others to understand and improve on them.
This is a good discussion.
How about this angle:
Using the same hypothetical about Smith and Wesson, (I am about five miles from the Wesson mansion) would it be fair to have stripped the Wesson and Smith family of their stock after the deaths of the founders? Or any other figure who has created a product and sold it through their lifetimes? (Horace Smith actually gave away most of his fortune—I benefitted from a grant from his foundation to go to college, so HE did the right thing.)
I have photographed some current professional basketball players when they were playing in high school. I was probably 25 when I did that. Is it fair to suggest that I should not be able to sell them for 56 years (some will be in the Hall of Fame.) They might not “appear” to be culturally important (I would suggest that they are not) but they will still bring me royalties.
I hope you had a Merry Christmas. I respect your opinion, although I may disagree with it. Have a wonderful new year.