I was going through the specs at iStockphotography.com - and ran into an interesting item: Rule 7.8 - Trademarked Buildings, Monuments & Landmarks: The copyright right laws of this category can sometimes be vague. It is best to research the structure before uploading it to iStock. For instance, the Eiffel Tower is legal to resell photographs during the day, but illegal (copyrighted) to resell nights shots, (showing the light show). Shoot it during the day - but at night, it's a copyright infringement - wow!

I think that is really stupid. Not your comment, I mean the fact you mention.

Wow, who would have known?? Thanks for the post Wolfsnap - copyright issues are a big problem, more so to photographers than other artists. I know when I was shooting "up and coming" rock bands - I always had to ask the guys to NOT wear T-shirts with any promotional ads on them, as it could cause problems with copyright violations. Thanks to your great information - If I ever go to Paris, I will be make sure all my shots of the Tower are created in the day light hours :) Dee-Marie

geesh... this could get complicated :/

Copyright can sometimes be so complicated, in the UK photography of some buildings is not permitted at all for the fear of commercial reproduction, in some cases entry to historic buildings will not be permitted if you have a camera that is considered to be capable of producing professional images, further more if you are carrying a tripod you may be refused entry, I have been turned away on a few occasions.

The Truth is Out There

God... how nasty laws can become... Nothing, Ill go tomorrow to Paris and Ill take 10658 pix of the tower. Come and get me :P

Some of this stuff isn't the law, except in the background. It's the people owning the building who set the rules for those who come onto their property. And the Eiffel Tower is old enough to be out of copyright. The light show visible at night wouldn't be that old.

For those that have problems they may shot the "Liberty" one...