Re: Berlin Wall

From: Sandy Jane Wong <sandy[_at_]oikoumene.com>
Date: Fri, 12 May 2000 20:07:57 -0700

On 5/8/2000, Robert Cumbow <rcumbow[_at_]grahamdunn.com> wrote:
>
> For example, if someone wanted to take photos of the artworks on the
> Wall and then publish them in a book, could one do so without the
> permission of the original artists? I would like to hear from anyone
> who knows the answer for sure, or who can refer me to someone who
> might. Many thanks.

Hello Bob, Attorney Robert Cumbow -

I received a reply to your posting from a friend of mine, Marc Whitney, who is conversant in the German language, has lived in Germany, and is quite familiar with Berlin. He suggested that you contact a German Consulate (there is one either in SF at 1690 Jackson St.,415-775-1061) as questions about copyrights are very legalistic and consulates are set up specifically to handle commercial matters. I'm sure there is a web site for the German Consulate too. Verbatim, he added the following:

   Background on the Wall. Berlin has more graffiti than any other    city I've seen perhaps in the world. Much of it is political in    nature and the western side of the wall was used as a surface for    much of it. Since the wall was "owned" by the DDR, the West Berlin    government had no interest in protecting it from defacement.    Eventually it went beyond mere graffiti and came to be used by    artists minor and sometimes major as a venue for public art.    Photos before the fall (the the german expression is "die Wende"    or the turning, turning point, reversal, etc.) show much of it    covered by paint. Some is amateurish and some is very good.

Sandy Jane Wong
<sandy[_at_]oikoumene.com>

• WEBMASTER-VISITOR PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION ---------

The information contained in this message is privileged and confidential. It is intended only to be read by the individual or entity named above or their designee. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are on notice that any distribution of this message, in any form, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please immediately notify the sender and/or WWW Multimedia Law by telephone at (415) 334-6066 and delete or destroy any copy of this message. Received on Sat May 13 2000 - 03:10:11 GMT