Questions about when you can or cannot sell your photos

[TechKnowBabble]

I just won tickets to an Orioles game, if I take photos at the game of the field, the team playing, are they photos I can sell or no? If you cannot make out their faces, but their name and number on the jersey is visible does that mean you cannot sell them? Thanks!

Nikki

[sdommin]

I believe that you can't (legally) sell your pictures in this case. From what I understand, the likenesses, logos, etc., are copyrighted by Major League Baseball. Its the same at any professional event, including music concerts.

[TechKnowBabble]

Understandable. Just didn't want to get in any trouble, better safe than sorry :-)

Nikki

[IndyJeff]

Tech an easy rule of thumb is this...if it is a sport and they charge an admission to get in, chances are you can't sell anything, except for editorial use.

When in doubt, decline the sale until you can get a release.

[scottbergerphoto]

Chances are they won't let you use a lens that will give you shots worth selling. I took my 10D and 70-200 2.8 to Madison Square Guarden to a Liberty Game(ladies basketball). Once the security saw the long lens, they made me put it away.
Scott

[sdommin]

I guess the whole issue is one of the downsides of cheaper, readily available photo gear. I remember that 20 - 25 years ago, not too many people had fancy cameras. You could bring in whatever you wanted to a rock concert, pro sports venue, etc., and no one would care. Today, they're afraid you'll take decent photos, sell them, and deprive the license holders of income. In 1976, I got some neat photos of Paul McCartney from a few rows back. Not today, I'm afraid.

[cpc1225]

Besides sports and concerts, what about buildings?
Who owns the copyright of the photo on buildings.

[sdommin]

Besides sports and concerts, what about buildings?
Who owns the copyright of the photo on buildings.

There actually is a U.S. law (The Copyright Act of 1909, and its revision in 1976) which lists which things can be copyrighted. Such things as sound recordings, photographs, movies, books, etc. are on the list, as you would expect. I was surprised to see that "architectural works" are also on the list. You asked who owns the copyright of the photo on buildings - well, the designer of the building owns the copyright of the building, but if you had permission to take a photo, then you would own the copyright to the photo. Also, interestingly enough, the famous painting Mona Lisa can't be copyrighted (it was created too long ago, and the copyright would have expired anyway), but if you take a photo of Mona, your photo is copyrighted.

I just hope no one owns the copyright to Yosemite.

[cpc1225]

if you had permission to take a photo, then you would own the copyright to the photo
You mentioned about permission, what about photos we took on famous buildings?
I believe most people never asked for permission before they shoot on buildings.