Post Office Infringes Sculpturer: Gets Nailed for $685,000 (Page 4): I tried to find out but their web site is absent that information as far as I could find. Other sites say no flash...

UtahBob Loc: Southern NJ

JaiGieEse wrote:

Can't say for sure, but I doubt the Louvre will allow you in the building with a camera. Instead, they'll suggest you visit their gift shop.

I tried to find out but their web site is absent that information as far as I could find. Other sites say no flash photography and others say it is impossible to get a clean shot anyway because of all the crowds among the works of the masters.

Doesn't much matter, I've got a zoning permit for a sculpture in my front yard. So now just need to put something attractive to commercial photographers. Had something in mind originally but that's changed as a result of this thread ... :thumbup:

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

georgevedwards wrote:

My first response was hooray for the artist. Then ... (show quote)

Oh c'mon. HOW MANY time do we have to repeat this: It is NOT the taking of the image, it is the USE of the image.

Whether this is a good decision or not, I could not say, but you thinking just TAKING an image could be a problem is just not even close to correct.

Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

FredB wrote:

Assuming it's allowed to use cameras, I could hop over to the Louvre, take a nice clear shot of the Mona Lisa, then come home, print it, frame it, and even hang it on my wall.

I just can't charge admission to come see it.. :) LOL

I suspect the museum might discourage photography. But I don't know; haven't been in the Louvre in many years.

BTW, in the USA there's a strange quirk in copyright law. A straightforward photo of an old painting like the Mona Lisa, IS NOT copyrightable. That's a glaring exception to normal copyright law.

artie11235 Loc: Long Island New York

The U.S. Postal Service derives it`s revenue from sales ( stamps etc. ) Your taxes are not part of their operating expenses.

Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

artie11235 wrote:

The U.S. Postal Service derives it`s revenue from sales ( stamps etc. ) Your taxes are not part of their operating expenses.

Not completely true:
The USPS does get some taxpayer support. Around $96 million is budgeted annually by Congress for the "Postal Service Fund." These funds are used to compensate USPS for postage-free mailing for all legally blind persons and for mail-in election ballots sent from US citizens living overseas. A portion of the funds also pays USPS for providing address information to state and local child support enforcement agencies.

That $96 million is in addition to various "hidden" subsidies which do not show up on the balance sheet.

In addition, the USPS has been given a monopoly on delivery of mail, and in using this monopoly is very much a government agency.

The USPS also operates a system of "kangaroo courts" with USPS bureaucrats acting as prosecutor, judge, and jury, and victims not able to get a trial in an independent court. This system also means the USPS is acting as a govt. agency.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

artie11235 wrote:

The U.S. Postal Service derives it`s revenue from sales ( stamps etc. ) Your taxes are not part of their operating expenses.

Just asking - so each year, where does the money come from that subsidizes their losses? The federal government, which as far as I know derives most income from taxes and tariffs, is the one that makes up the difference? Just trying to understand.

Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

sirlensalot wrote:

Just asking - so each year, where does the money come from that subsidizes their losses? The federal government, which as far as I know derives most income from taxes and tariffs, is the one that makes up the difference? Just trying to understand.

Most USPS income comes from sales of services and products. Mainly postage. It also gets a few shekels from sale of miscellany like greeting cards, packaging supplies, etc. It is not clear just how much the USPS is subsidized with tax money these days.

I also notice that the USPS has severely raised rates on some things, like media mail and packages. It has also gotten rid of some bargains like overseas book rate, it is now horrifyingly expensive to mail a book overseas.

I do notice that the USPS at the counter windows now attempts to upgrade transactions by pushing proof of delivery, insurance, and other add-ons.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Robert Graybeal wrote:

WHAT! Now we can't sell or use a photo we have taken of a statue?

Maybe.... There is a piece of public art in my city-- and many individuals have photographed it. I used it in a brochure-- but attained permission before hand. In the end, there was no financial gain realized from my brochure, so the artist was satisfied with credit under the photograph of the public art piece.

UtahBob Loc: Southern NJ

Los-Angeles-Shooter wrote:

I also notice that the USPS has severely raised rates on some things, like media mail and packages.

Priority mail/priority mail flat rate also. Much of it fuel related I suspect. Fuel prices have steadily been creeping up over the years.

UtahBob Loc: Southern NJ

Los-Angeles-Shooter wrote:

Not completely true:
The USPS does get some taxpayer support. Around $96 million is budgeted annually by Congress for the "Postal Service Fund." These funds are used to compensate USPS for postage-free mailing for all legally blind persons and for mail-in election ballots sent from US citizens living overseas.

Interesting, I always wondered where the money came for the books on tape (actually now on solid state memory) delivery and return. I will say that the person I know that is legally bind really enjoys being able to get that service and otherwise would not be able to afford it. Thanks for the info.

Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

UtahBob wrote:

Interesting, I always wondered where the money came for the books on tape (actually now on solid state memory) delivery and return. I will say that the person I know that is legally bind really enjoys being able to get that service and otherwise would not be able to afford it. Thanks for the info.

Stuff like special rates for books on tape is subsidized with tax money or from profit from other mail. Many of us complain about 3rd class advertising mail. But an interesting fact is that such mail is delivered presorted down to the mailman level and is a tremendous profit-maker for the USPS. 1st Class mail is far more work to process and is marginal or a money drain for the USPS. 1st Class is actually subsidized by bulk rate mail. So we should actually appreciate "junk mail" since it keeps 1st class rates from going much higher.