Permission to photograph megalithic monuments?

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mascot M
mascot Jul 29, 2009 12:25:15
Replying to scubi63

It certainly looks like it's about money to me.

Been following this for a while related to pictures on Flickr, etc.

Looks like the NT et al have had "the consultants" in and been told that they are sitting on a gold mine with respect to image rights on all their land, buildings, etc and that pots of gold await them if they start getting "the lawyers" in to enforce such rights - hopefully more gold than it costs to get "the consultants" and "the lawyers" in......

No case law as far as I know and I'd like to think that a reasonable judge (/oxymoron alert mode OFF/) would throw any such case out with gusto, but who knows in the crazy world we live in right now.

Given the overall non-commercial aims of NT etc one can only hope that getting some publicity out there on this will cause them to retract.

I hate to say it but I would guess that TMA will come under their gaze at some point going forwards. I hope not, but I fear the worst....

C common era
common era Jul 29, 2009 13:27:28
Replying to mascot

mascot wrote:
I hate to say it but I would guess that TMA will come under their gaze at some point going forwards. I hope not, but I fear the worst....
Sadly yes, according to their 'guidelines' old posted pics are ok, but any picture taken after 'the law' was passed and is published either in print or electronic format does require the person to get permission from the NT to do so.

Basically they are saying the copyright to OUR landscape belongs to them. I have no problem crediting The National Trust, as I already have done in the book, but no publisher in the world is going to touch this book if it means paying them money. Therefore the only way to have this book in any way shape or form out there is to have the NT take control over it.

Needless to say the phrase 'over my dead body' come straight to mind.

I will find a way to get copies of this book printed and distributed for free if necessary. This book is not a money making scheme for me, I simply want to share with others the amazing experience I have had in visiting the Peak District sites and give people the means to do so themselves. Let them sue me. I have nothing so they are welcome to take a slice of that. If all else fails I'm going to contact Joanna Lumley...

:-)