Model/Property Releases: Too much? Just right? Not enough?

Do you feel that the current state of laws for model and/or property releases is proper? Or, do you think they're too restrictive? Maybe they should be tightened even further?

In many cases, I think they're too restrictive. For example... a unique building is built. It's in plain public view (obviously). I can see copyright extending to prevent others from building copies of said building, but as far as photographs go, taking a picture of something in plain sight... and even selling said photo for ANY purpose... is no different than people walking by and viewing it in person with no restrictions. I feel that the necessity for a property release is overkill in such a situation. When viewed from public property or with permission to be on private property, I mean, not tresspassing on private property without permission.

I also feel that anything government owned... and not legitimately classified as secret areas like nuclear missile sites... should be free to use for purposes of things like photography by the citizens of that country/state/locality as they own it. No property releases necessary.

This does not mean that I would favor wholesale abandonment of copyright laws, of course. Not at all. But I do think some simplifying would serve us well.

I think if you can see it from public land - you should be able to shoot it.

Agreed.

I think you're confusing copyright and trademarked. Buildings are not copyrighted in the sense you're discussing, but a building can be trademarked and the use of the image in commercial productions restricted. You might want to read this:

http://www.lawmart.com​/forms/difference.htm

and this:

http://www.bc.edu …s/content/19990​21901.html

DeanAU wrote in post #9318872
I think if you can see it from public land - you should be able to shoot it.

You can shoot it from public land you just can't use it for certain purposes. Notwithstanding military or other similar sensitive facilities I have never ran across a building that I couldn't take a picture of as long as I was doing so from public land. I think there are alot of rent a cops that think otherwise but if you drill down to the actual law most of them are proven wrong.

ssim wrote in post #9334769
You can shoot it from public land you just can't use it for certain purposes. Notwithstanding military or other similar sensitive facilities I have never ran across a building that I couldn't take a picture of as long as I was doing so from public land. I think there are alot of rent a cops that think otherwise but if you drill down to the actual law most of them are proven wrong.

The original question had more to do with selling it, though.