Copyright Question

Hi All, I'm sure this has come up before and if someone could point me it would be appreciated. My question is about copyright in regard to a logo in a photo I shot. The logo is a Canadian National Railway logo on the side/front of a locomotive. The local Rotary Club wishes to have a large framed copy to use for fund raising efforts but I’m not sure if I can do that without consent from the railway?

Although I'm pretty sure that you could use that image for any number of reasons, most notably that they have to SEE it first before they could have a problem, I think that in this case it would be polite to ask them. Most people and companies, are REALLY flattered when you use images of them, as long as they're asked.

I had a particularly good looking bride jump out of her chair when she found out that I wanted to use her wedding in my wedding portfolio, "I made the book! I made the book." were her words. But last week I got a phone call from a mom who was pissed because I used a shot of her flower girl daughter on my web site.

Actually I'm not quite sure HOW I'd go about getting permission from everyone at a wedding. I do have a line in my contract, such as it is, advising the B&G that I retain the right to use any of the images for my own self promotion, but that wouldn't apply to anyone else. In any case the mother snarled for about ten minutes but made it clear that I could continue to use the shot of her kid. I of course had it removed as soon as I could. Otherwise the mom is going to cal all of her friends and, a) point out the great shot of her kid, and b) slag me while she's doing it. Removing the kid has put an end to that possibility! With a little luck I'll get a call from her soon asking where the kid went!

I'm pretty sure that this is off topic but my advice would be to forget about the legality and just ask.

Thanks Dave, you're right can't hurt to ask.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, seek one for better advice (specifically one from you country and area)

That said,
Given you are using the logo in a manner that could indicate support for another organization, it is highly recommended you get permission from the railway for that use.

As mentioned they might not notice or care, but then again...