Can I use photographs I have taken in a museum for commercial purposes without breaching copyright law?

Question

The pictures are taken from numerous museums who have allowed photos to be taken

Answer 1

Probably not unless you get permission from the various establishments, especially if you are planning to make money from them. They may have let you take the photos but using them for personal financial gain is a different kettle of fish - the establishments themselves may be using similar images to make money in their shops and these would be covered under copyright. Always get permission first.

Answer 2

It depends if the creator of the things you photographed is still alive. A copyright last's for the duration of the creators life plus 70 yrs. For example the Mona Lisa is not under copyright but the photograph of it is.

I'd check with the Museum's own legislation on this just to be sure though.

Answer 3

No. If they were pictures of your art work, then that would be all right. As they are pictures of other peoples' art work, they are therefore owned by those people or the museum and you need to ask those people permission before using your photos commercially.

Answer 4

If you have taken pictures of pieces where the artists are still alive - definitely not without their permission. If the artist is dead, it depends how long ago they died and whether their estate can lay claim to the profits you make. It is always a good idea to check.

Answer 5

Copyright laws regulate FOR PROFIT infringement, so you cannot sell it or in any way make $$$ from it. Just giving it to somebody else is okay ....