2007-02-09 09:21:20 · 9 answers · asked by allen S 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
No.
2007-02-09 09:29:41 · answer #1 · answered by Matt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only buildings you cannot legally take pictures of and sell are ones of certain government installations. If you see a sign on the way to the building or near the building that says "Photographs prohibited" then you may want to think twice about taking a picture of it. The U.S. government can and will actually sue you (and arrest you) if you take a picture of one of these installations without permission.
One note on photographing though...If you happen to take a picture with someone in the photograph that doesn't wish to have their picture taken and/or is performing some activity such as a concert, lecture, or some form of artistic expression then you must get a release from that individual to sell the picture. If you happen to take a picture of some famous person walking by or inadvertently catch someone in the frame (unintentional photograpy of passers-by) you do not have to get a release from them.
Any building in a public area may be photographed and sold unless there are signs prohibiting photography (such as certain homes in California).
2007-02-09 09:42:26 · answer #2 · answered by usxinfinity 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, the building is in plain site; the building owner has no expectation that the image of the property is private. Google maps for example has satellite imagery of most buildings in the US - they'd be in a lot of trouble if it was illegal to distribute that content.
Historians and artists have for years been taking photographs of great architecture, and everyone takes 'incidental' pictures of buildings when actually photographing friends or family on vacation etc. All of this is legal.
2007-02-09 09:32:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can make a copy of the original, but not make a copy of a copy.
An architectural work may be copyrighted, but taking a picture of it generally does not violate the copyrights in that architectural work. This includes ONLY buildings in public spaces (NOT) sculptures or the like)
http://www.wipo.int/sme/en/documents/ip_photography.htm#P81_9490
Architectural works are protected by copyright to some degree, but in most countries you may photograph a building, if the building is located in a public place or is visible from a public place. You may also publish and distribute the photo without permission.vii
2007-02-09 09:51:10 · answer #4 · answered by Perdendosi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My understanding is that people can keep you from selling their pictures, but nobody can stop you from selling a picture of the OUTSIDE of a building. Inside might be a different story unless it was open to the public to start with.
2007-02-09 09:30:15 · answer #5 · answered by diogenese19348 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My understanding is that some buildings are copyrighted.
I know this sounds crazy, but, I believe that it has to do with architecture as art and art can be copyrighted to protect the artist.
I believe that the building has to be registered as copy protected material as opposed to having a copyright by assumption.
You need to talk to an attorney who specializes in copyright laws. My mother worked in a patent/copyright law office and this is my understanding from something she worked on some years ago.
My understanding is that it is very unusual and the building has to have some artistic value incorporated into the design.
2007-02-09 09:29:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's always safer to have a release form handy or some agreement in writing. It is a lot cheaper to do that than to go through litigation. Selling pictures constitutes commercial use, so might as well be safe than sorry.
2007-02-09 09:31:23 · answer #7 · answered by graphix_osu 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sell it and make your money. Doubtful you'll make a great deal but certainly not enough to warrant the owner taking you to court.
2007-02-09 09:32:46 · answer #8 · answered by michael_trussell 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No.
He owns the building, but you own the "interpretation" of it.
2007-02-09 09:26:20 · answer #9 · answered by chimpus_incompetus 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋