Charles Kaplan - it was explained to me by the CCA's attorney at the time, Eric Rosenblum. ChipGuide images are copyrighted to preserve ownership of the images. Thousands of collectors have entrusted their images with us and the ChipGuide has the responsibility to safeguard and protect them. If the ChipGuide is aware of any Copyright Infringements and does not act to protect the Copyright, then the Copyright may no longer be valid and anyone can freely use ChipGuide images as they please. Someone could make their own website or publish a book with ChipGuide images and we couldn't stop them.

Can someone explain to me how you can copyright a unaltered image donated by the rightful owner of the image?

Thanks