• Asked by
• Henrique F.
• |
• January 19, 2012
• |
• 1 person also has this question

How do you know if something is copyright protected?

Hello,

Is there some sort of worldwide directory or combination of different resources/sites, with listings of different countries', property copyrighted buildings or monuments etc.?
Could you shed some light on this issue for me, how can one safeguard oneself from shooting and selling something one didn't know had a copyright?

Thank you for your time,
Henrique

• Answered by
• Kevin H
• |
• April 20, 2012
• |
• 1 person likes this

Hello Henrique F.

Firstly thank you for your question.

There is no definite answer to this question as different countries have different rules regulating the copyright of buildings, for example in the UK one is allowed to take photos of public buildings provided you are situated on public property when taking the photos. In the United States if you take a photo in which the building is the main subject, you need to obtain a release form from the building owner to commercially exploit that photo.

The safest option when shooting a building that may be subject to copyright as the main feature in a shot, would be to go into the property itself and request that the owner signs a property release form.

Hope this helps
Kevin Hughes