[LargeFormat] Re: Tips on Architecture photographs

[Les Newcomer]

On Sunday, July 13, 2003, at 10:40  PM, Gavin Hubbard wrote:

> Les said:
>
>> If I remember the copyright law correctly, you can photograph a
>> building while on public property for your own personal use. If 
>> there's
>> a monetary gain through the use (or is it just sale?) of the
>> photograph, then written permission is necessary.
>
> This raises an interesting point. Depending on which country you are 
> in, you are will certainly be infringing the copyright of the 
> architect if you take unauthorised photographs of his/her building. In 
> general, non specific streetscapes are allowed without permission but 
> photographs of individual buildings are not.
>
> IANAL - do we have anyone here who can explain these issues in greater 
> depth (or provide a link)?
>
> Best regards,
>
> Gavin
>


This raises a good point.  Just exactly who owns what rights to a 
building?
There's  fairly well known newish building that went up in the last ten 
years here in Detroit. (unlike the Grand Central Station, the 
architect, engineer, original owner, second owner and tennant are all 
still alive)  It has a unique gothic top, so it's recognizable.  Let 
say I photograph this building from another building across the street 
and I get it published in the local glossy magazine "Hour Detroit" And 
while I'm fantasizing, lets say the story was about me and my 
photography rather than something that could be construed as news 
worthy.

Did I infringe on the architect since it was his design?
Or the owner of the building since its his building dammit.
Or the occupant of the building who has their copyrighted logo on it.
Oh and the occupant is a bank. I think it's a Federal Reserve Bank too.