Permission to photograph megalithic monuments?

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Jane J
Jane Jul 29, 2009 16:26:52
Replying to common era

The law is clear:

http://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/copyright/p01_uk_copyright_law

So how NT and indeed the motor racing powers-that-be can claim copyright, I do not know.

T thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Jul 29, 2009 18:05:50
Replying to Jane

Jane wrote:
The law is clear:

http://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/copyright/p01_uk_copyright_law

So how NT and indeed the motor racing powers-that-be can claim copyright, I do not know.

That's brilliant Jane:

"Duration of copyright
The 1988 Copyright, Designs and Patents Act states the duration as;

For literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works
70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the last remaining author of the work dies.

If the author is unknown, copyright will last for 70 years from end of the calendar year in which the work was created, although if it is made available to the public during that time, (by publication, authorised performance, broadcast, exhibition, etc.), then the duration will be 70 years from the end of the year that the work was first made available."

So in the case of prehistoric rock art, the copyright owner is unknown, so any copyright would have expired about 4,000 years ago. It doesn't vest with the current "owner" of the land the rock art sits on.

In the case of a photo of a prehistoric monument, not taken in the course of employment, the copyright is with the taker of the photo until 70 years after their death. Then it goes "public" - i.e. it doesn't vest with the NT.

Ipso facto, they're talking bollocks!

T thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Jul 29, 2009 18:26:51
Replying to Jane

Also, from the Visitor Info bit of the NT website:

"Photography

The National Trust welcomes amateur photography out-of-doors at its properties. We regret that such photography is not permitted indoors when houses are open to visitors. However, at most properties special arrangements can be made for interested amateurs to take interior photographs by appointment outside normal opening hours. Please contact individual properties for details."

Amateur would suggest not-for-profit, I'm not getting any money from the photos I take or post on TMA, neither is anyone else (unless the cheque has got lost).

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-visits-group_organisers/w-visits-group_organisers-visitor_info.htm

Also this bit:

" 'For the benefit of the Nation' both concludes and sums up our charitable purpose . The primary way we deliver this benefit is by giving access, in the broadest sense, to the buildings, land and habitats that we look after.

We aim to open up our resources as much as we can without compromising their care."