Re: Publishing pictures

> > Could someone please inform of the implications of publishing pictures
> > of items which may included trademarked or copyright material.
> > Specifically, can I publish a picture of a billboard which includes an
> > advertisement from say Coke or the Atlanta Olympic committee. Such
> > billboards are clearly displayed in public. Or what are the implications
> > of publishing a picture of the the city of Atlanta which includes an
> > Olympic billboard or some other copyrighted display or logo. Must I
> > obtain permission even though the object being photographed is publicly
> > displayed?
>
>
> The answer is a definite maybe. I suggest that you consult with counsel.
> For example, we have a lovely statue here in Portland in front of city
> hall, called "Portlandia". The artist objected to unauthorized sales of
> postcards showing a photograph of the statue.
>
> ---
> Micah Stolowitz
> Marger Johnson McCollom & Stolowitz, P.C.
> Patent, Trademark and Copyright Attorneys
> 650 American Bank Building, Suite 650
> Portland, Oregon 97205
>
>
> Telephone: +1 503-222-3613
> FAX: +1 503-274-4622
> Internet: micah[_at_]techlaw.com
>

These are actually different circumstances. The artist wants the rights to the statue in order to make money. Billboards are advertisements intended to sell a product. The photos that have the billboards in them will further disseminate advertising, which is what the advertisers want. But disseminating the statue will limit the artist's potential market.

Maryly Snow
merely a librarian
(slides[_at_]ced.berkeley.edu)
>
>
Received on Fri Feb 25 1994 - 02:10:49 GMT