Hard to find Manuals

Hello everyone,
I was brought to this website as I was searching for information on the Telsta A28D lift. There is an fine gentleman here that has offered a copy to this “Elusive” documentation for those who have requested it, Thank you Joe!
This brings me to another question? I have procured copies of manuals on several if my pieces for which I would like to make available to others and nothing STICKS IN MY CRAW like those websites trying to extort profits off old manuals. Most of these books are from equipment that might almost be described as antiquated. Is there any reason we can’t upload these documents to a server for public domain?
Here is a story about one of my machines. I bought a 1984 Cat V80C TowMotor. It was in great disrepair. There are several people on eBay that offered copies of the manuals for this. THEY WANT LIKE $400! Then i had a winfall! The guy I bought it from found all his manuals and gave them to me. More manuals than what eBay had! I made a vow then that I would like to make these available to everyone. I know this is quite a market as everyone has a 1984 V80C setting around and would like to get there hands on a set of these manuals! I am just livid to the fact people who really have no “ownership” or need to these documents should offer them for such an outstanding profit!
One thought I had: I wish to make all the documents available to the public. Is there a way to upload these files and are there any legal repercussions? Most of my stuff is like 30-40 years old. And if so, another thought, why can’t I offer to sell my original documents for an exuberant amount of money and present a copy of my documents in a full unabridged PDF file so that any interested parties can view exactly and completely what I have for sale? You look over the entire manual and if you want, you may purchase it from me. But until you make that decision, I hope you get to take advantage of any AND ALL of the documents contents. This way I am not officially giving it away. Sorry to post such longwinded dribble, but I hope to get good feedback and ideas. Thank you all,
Don

Welcome to HEF, Don !
I have often wondered when the copyrights on a service, operators or parts book manual expires. If it ever does.
Anyone selling COPYS of those manuals are probably violating the copyrights that are on them.
Those OEM manuals are expensive but well worth the money. IMHO
I don't think the little amount of money anyone can get for a copy of a manual is worth the risk of being sued for a copyright violation.
I don't live very far from Wenona.
I remember the cookie factory that was there quite well !

I don't have the regulation in front of me but as I recall, copyright is now life of the owner plus 50 years. Copyright for a corporation is front the publishing date plus 70 years. Chalk that up to Disney and Micky Mouse. Lots of people just keep a low profile and and offer up what they have when asked. There are plenty of web resources where you can put your manuals and then give access to them. One Note, MediaFire and DropBox are the common ones. There is a thread on here you can search for where plenty of people have done just that.

It is legal to have a copyrighted manual reproduced for your own use. Any time that I get my hands on a manual I don't already have I bring it in and have a copy made. What is not legal is to reproduce it for re-sale.