(they actually were, but stopped doing so once I pointed out the facts to them.)
I know of two further sites where SmartFrame is being used to stop people "stealing" out-of-copyright images, and to label them as protected by copyright.
This is simply a land-grab, attempting to enclose the (digital) commons.
There's also the fact that, for images that do remain in copyright, there are exceptions in law allowing reuse for study, review, parody etc.
Historic England have even stated explicitly "We're not claiming copyright in the RAF images":
https://twitter.com/HistoricEngland/status/15073771987470336...
(they actually were, but stopped doing so once I pointed out the facts to them.)
I know of two further sites where SmartFrame is being used to stop people "stealing" out-of-copyright images, and to label them as protected by copyright.
This is simply a land-grab, attempting to enclose the (digital) commons.
There's also the fact that, for images that do remain in copyright, there are exceptions in law allowing reuse for study, review, parody etc.