I am posting the link to the photographers rights pdf.  I am sure the pros here know this stuff, but the newbies should probably have a look at it.

The Photographers Rights.

Sorry but nothing happens when I click the link!!

Thank you, good to know even though I seldom find myself in such situations.

Clive

Thanks!

Jayfar the link takes me right to the page...sorry.

http://www.krages.com/ThePhotographersRight.pdf

You are welcome folks.

The link worked for me. Alternate type in>   www.krages.com/ThePhotographersRight.pdf

Perhaps it should be pointed out that this legal opinion is from an American lawyer and may not be applicable in other areas.

Thank you UVDan, have found it now and there is an English version.

You're welcome.

Thanks Dan! Very handy!

You're welcome.

Good observation Whaleman.

Copyright laws and "self image" protection laws differ from one location to the next.

I live in the province of Quebec in Canada where photographers have many constraints to deal with. Both Canadian and Provincial copyright laws provide very strict guidelines for the protection of the copyrights of photographic creative production. On top of that, Quebec introduced a couple years ago the concept of "self image rights" which basically gives rights to the subjects of a photography wheter the subject is a person, a pet, or a privately owned (and certain government owned) recognizable location or object.

For instance, you can freely take pictures of people on the street, but you are not allowed to publish these pictures without obtaining the concent of the subject unless the person subject is part of a group and the group is the subject of the picture.

The same applies to objects and locations. If for instance you want to take picture in a Montreal subway station, you are legally bound to obtain approval of the Montreal Transit Society first. Not many people do and I've never heard of anyone being sued over this, but that's something in their back pocket in case they need to fight over protecting their image.

So, whenever shooting abroad, it is important to inquire about specific copyright/self image protection laws. Do not assume that because it works a certain way where you live that it is the same everywhere.

Thanks Whalelman and biquet.  I know lots of my friends are shocked to find out they cannot publish night shots of the Eiffel Tower for instance.

Yeah, that's a funny one UVDan. I heard about that earlier and wondered if anyone is serious about it. I'm sure it is photographed hundreds of times every night and I suppose they could threaten people while in France or if they published a shot in France but if a Canadian, for example, we're to upload one to, say Renderosity, I don't think they really could do anything about it. Does anyone know if the French government has ever done anything about this?

I wonder about that myself.  For instance is there a bureau of French law enforcement that is responsible for worldwide enforcement of Eiffel Tower rights?