Q: Can a Danish tourist use pictures taken in New York, in a book which is printed and sold only in Denmark
On vacation in New York I have taken many pictures of buildings like Flatiron Building and Empire Statue Building and artwork like the Statue of Liberty. All pictures is taken from public spaces, where all tourists can go.
Now I want to use these pictures in a book, where I tell about the sights in New York.
I want to print and sell the book only in Denmark.
Can I do this without getting in trouble with copyright laws?
A: So the photographs you took are your intellectual property but the building architecture could be protected by copyright. The Flatiron building is a famous landmark but that doesn’t mean it’s not protected. I would suggest contacting a copyright attorney to help you figure out what may be protected and what’s not and whether the author has any rights in Denmark.
A:
Be careful if the building is unique, or has other creative work attached to it, like murals, paintings, sculptures, etc.
Also it is important if it is a book about the buildings or the buildings are just backdrops and the real value is from other elements, such as models, people walking, sun sets, etc.
If it is done and published in other countries, there may be jurisdiction over you based on the nature of the photos (i.e. New York buildings) and if it is shown in the USA (even on line).
Consult with an attorney to assess your risks.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
