 BetterPhoto Member |
Copyrights of Photographic Subjects I have started selling images I've taken locally as greeting cards, etc. I was wondering if I have infringed on anyone's rights by taking pictures of historic buildings and public places (no person predominantly featured). Also we have a quilt show each year where the quilts are hung on the outside of downtown buildings. I took pictures of the quilts AND the buildings (no close ups of the quilts and their patterns) - am I infringing on the quilter's rights by turning these photos into greeting cards and prints?
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Dan Rudman |
DISCLAIMER: I am not an attorney, and I certainly don't play one on TV. You cannot copyright a public building. If you take a wonderful picture of the building, you COULD copyright the actual picture itself -- but this is not an exclusive on all images of the building. The same goes for public places. So snap away! While there's not likely any legal problem with you selling images of the quilts, it certainly would be ethical to make sure the owners don't mind. If these designers have created something original, they may want to control how the idea is released into the public. Moreover, the quilter may be wish to profit from your endeavors. Who knows... by collaborating with the designers of subject matter so beautiful you feel they will bring you income as images on cards and prints, perhaps there's a beautiful partnership there where you can both make some money. In the end, my advice is don't post this question on a message board on the Internet -- go see a real, live, and qualified attorney. Dan Rudman
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David E. Cagin |
Hello, ANY pictures are protected under your first ammendment rights. You could take a picture of anything and no one may interfere. However, you may not use illegal means to take said photo (i.e. trespassing or breaking and entering) without a press pass. Because photography is a recognized art form to the U.S. government, all photographs you have ever taken are automatically copyrighted as long as you have proof that you own the pictures (do you have posession of the negatives?)
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