An Eclectic Mind

2 responses so far ↓

• 1 eberhard weber // Nov 8, 2007 at 12:27 am

  

  You just gave me an idea, Maria
  I will go through all the pictures you posted here of your many chopper excursions and file some kind of Trademark claim, and then sue you for violating my rights. I may yet own your chopper.

  There could be a tremendous cottage industry that could spring up by people looking through personal websites, mainly those that collect Google and other advertising revenues, and see if any of their vacation photos violate some copyrights or Trademarks.

  It looks like it may soon be best to stay home, and be poor, so as to avoid lawyer-hawks from descending upon us demanding a fair bite out of our piggy bank.

  Isn’t free enterprise wonderful?

• 2 Maria Langer // Nov 8, 2007 at 5:44 am

  

  I think the problem arises when someone uses these images commercially. For example, take a photo of the Empire State Building and sell it as a postcard. The owners of the building reserve the right to do that.

  I don’t think the problem arises when someone takes a vacation photo of the protected structure. I don’t even think it’s a problem if that photo appears on his or her Web site or on Flickr (for example), as long as there’s no attempt to sell the photo or use it for some other commercial means (for example, to promote a business or product).

  I agree, however, that there’s something wrong about putting a structure or product out there where it can be easily SEEN let limit how people can use images of it. Yet time and again, photographers are sued and they lose.

  I linked to this list for my own reference, just in case I ever do take a photo of one of these places or things and want to sell it.

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