Yeah I think it's probably something Im going to have to research thoroughly.  I did read up yesterday somewhat on it, and in the copyright laws forum.  I think actually that the real answer is that we don't know and until it is taken into court we wont know.  I suppose there are some who probably don't even understand what Im talking about so Ill go over it again.

Someone creates an item - a THING.  They own copyright to that THING
another person takes a picture of that THING - is it legal to take a photograph of a THING another person owns copyright to?  Now if the THING is the center of focus, - hmm but what if the THING is a background object just in the image?

There was a thread a few months back something about Ford requiring that no pictures be made of thier cars.  Did they win that?  I don't know - it seems to me a case like that would take precident here.

Like I said if this is not true than I have something like 100 gigs worth of pictures that infringe on peoples copyright.  If they grew the tree do they have the copyright to it?  How about individual blades of grass?  If its not on my property then I don't own it or the copyright to it.  Any vehicles, background scenery when I took photos at family gatherings - picnic tables that I didn't build myself.

I actually don't think that copyright law is very clear in this particular area, it simply doesn't make any sense.  I think whether or not it agrees with me would have to be determined in court.  If anyone has any case links I'd love to see them.

I am:  aka Velocity3d