Dear Sun Spots: Thank you for so many helpful hints and advice on many subjects. Now the reason I’m writing to you – Back in March I mailed a check in the amount of $4.75, including a self-addressed stamped envelope to Dr. Paul Donohue for the Thyroid Booklet. The check was cashed, but I have not received the booklet. Could you please check into this? Thank you. – A daily reader, Lisbon Falls.

Answer: Sun Spots would encourage you to write to Donohue at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475 and provide your information to see if you cannot obtain a copy.

Dear Sun Spots: I have several pictures, including old class pictures done by Loring studios. I know the studio burned down many years ago. How would one go about getting permission to have these pictures copied? Are the owners anywhere around? Who could I contact? One picture is of my deceased son in the 1970s. Thank you for any a help you can give me. – Elaine T. Cohoon, No Town.

Answer: According to the U.S. Copyright Office, 101 Independence Ave., Washington, D.C., 202-707-3000, copyright laws protect copyright material for the life of an author, plus 70 years, and a company for 100 years from the creation of the product. The length of copyright protection also depends on whether the item was created before or after Jan. 1, 1978, and whether or not the author or company renews the copyright.

The Copyright Office explained that even though a company has gone out of business, the copyright would be acquired by the company or person who acquired the original company when they went out of business, and that there would have been some kind legal transaction at the time when the business went out of business. The office said it is the responsibility of the person requesting the right to copy copyright material to find the legal owner of the copyright for permission. Copyright laws are explained in more detail at the U.S. Copyright Office Web site, www.copyright.gov.

Their Web site offers free copyright records searches on registration and documents after 1978, however Sun Spots’ search results for Loring Studios was unsuccessful. Their office can do a search for you for a fee by contacting them, from 8:30 a.m to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the U.S. Copyright Office Reference & Bibliography Section, 202-707-6850.

To help you find the Loring Studio’s copyright owner, Sun Spots called the Connecticut Secretary of State’s Office. According to the secretary’s office, who had two listings, Loring Studios Inc., of 557 Asylum St., Hartford, came into existence in 1943 and dissolved in 1987. Their last business report was filed with the Secretary of State’s office was in 1984. And, Loring Studios of Bridgeport, located at the same Hartford address, came into existence in 1962 and was forfeited out in 1992. Their last report was filed in 1989. The secretary’s office explained that the business was forfeited because they didn’t comply with statutes and didn’t complete their annual reports.

Annual reports list company officers and directors and can be requested through the Secretary of State’s office. Requests should be in writing, stating the name of the corporation – in this case either Loring Studios Inc., or Loring Studios of Bridgeport. Report costs are $20 for a plain copy and $25 for a certified copy. Both companies above have their own report and to obtain both would be $20 or $25 for each. Mail requests to Connecticut Secretary of State, 30 Trinity St., Hartford, Conn. 06106.

In addition, a call to The New Britain, Conn., Town Clerk’s office, lists from their 1980 business directory: Loring Studio, Robert Gallo, manager and photographer, 105 W. Main St., New Britain. A Web people search came up empty. Also, the calling of several Robert Gallos in the Connecticut area also proved fruitless. Perhaps there are readers out there who recall this company and might be able to assist you in your search.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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