Do Not Photograph the Eiffel Tower at Night
Oct 18, 2017 08:10:12 #
This has been discussed here before, but you are not allowed to photograph the Eiffel Tower at night for commercial purposes. Although this has never been taken to court, the addition of lighting for nighttime display is considered a new copyright, so you risk a court battle if you try to use images for commercial use.
Oct 18, 2017 08:27:24 #
Oct 18, 2017 08:39:10 #
philo wrote:
thanks jerry. this is good to know if and when i go to Paris.
I'm sure that thousands of tourists take pictures at night, but it's the commercial prohibition that could get someone in trouble.
https://www.lightstalking.com/know-illegal-photograph-eiffel-tower-night/
Oct 18, 2017 11:04:37 #
Tomcat5133
Loc: Gladwyne PA
This is another case of commercialism and corporate thinking that has invaded our lives.
In Florida a few years ago Disney had a picture of Mikey in a day care center lobby removed.
As a producer copyrighted music is now owned by machines. It was only a few months ago
that playing or singing Happy Birthday was released in a restaurant or hotel was illegal.
Their are bots that search for music online and they work. If you put a music theme
on facebook or youtube you will get a message in 20 minutes that they have taken it down.
I recently did a promo reel with some of my video work and marketing. I have bought
and acquired stock music and used my samples. Some were old cuts I have 800 CD's.
One 5-10 second cut from 4 minute with many samples was stopped by youtube.
I believe in legality but greed and the lawyers have taken the fun out of creating.
In Florida a few years ago Disney had a picture of Mikey in a day care center lobby removed.
As a producer copyrighted music is now owned by machines. It was only a few months ago
that playing or singing Happy Birthday was released in a restaurant or hotel was illegal.
Their are bots that search for music online and they work. If you put a music theme
on facebook or youtube you will get a message in 20 minutes that they have taken it down.
I recently did a promo reel with some of my video work and marketing. I have bought
and acquired stock music and used my samples. Some were old cuts I have 800 CD's.
One 5-10 second cut from 4 minute with many samples was stopped by youtube.
I believe in legality but greed and the lawyers have taken the fun out of creating.
Oct 18, 2017 11:51:29 #
jerryc41 wrote:
This has been discussed here before, but you are not allowed to photograph the Eiffel Tower at night for commercial purposes. Although this has never been taken to court, the addition of lighting for nighttime display is considered a new copyright, so you risk a court battle if you try to use images for commercial use.
It is not that simple.
What the article is not clear at all is that you CAN TAKE ANY PRIVATE PICTURE, just not sell them. This limitation is only for the lighting at night.
This is valid to almost every monument in many countries. I do not see what the big deal is. By the way if the tower is included in a background for other shoots like fashion or whatever only a regular permission is needed in order to use the area.
Oct 19, 2017 05:10:59 #
Wait a minute Jerry, I sense that, you with a long lens, can see The Eiffel from the peak of the Catskill Mtn where you live... like Sara Palin seeing Russia from her porch !! 
Oct 19, 2017 06:57:10 #
No desire to go to France whatsoever. No problem... Better alternative, go to Las Vegas. The replica there is beautiful at night.
Oct 19, 2017 07:18:01 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
jerryc41 wrote:
This has been discussed here before, but you are not allowed to photograph the Eiffel Tower at night for commercial purposes. Although this has never been taken to court, the addition of lighting for nighttime display is considered a new copyright, so you risk a court battle if you try to use images for commercial use.
Well, since Eiffel also made the Statue of Liberty, is it far behind? Those at Liberty Insurance might have something to say about that.
Oct 19, 2017 07:59:46 #
Oct 19, 2017 08:01:45 #
billnikon wrote:
Well, since Eiffel also made the Statue of Liberty, is it far behind? Those at Liberty Insurance might have something to say about that.
it's only the lighting that's protected.
The alteration of the Eiffel Tower in 1985 – the addition of exterior, nighttime lighting – is considered an artistic work and is thus protected under French copyright law.
Oct 19, 2017 08:07:01 #
jbk224
Loc: Long Island, NY
Rongnongno wrote:
It is not that simple.
[What the article is not clear at all is that you CAN TAKE ANY [b]PRIVATE[/b] PICTURE, just not sell them.] This limitation is only for the lighting at night.
This is valid to almost every monument in many countries. I do not see what the big deal is. By the way if the tower is included in a background for other shoots like fashion or whatever only a regular permission is needed in order to use the area.
[What the article is not clear at all is that you CAN TAKE ANY [b]PRIVATE[/b] PICTURE, just not sell them.] This limitation is only for the lighting at night.
This is valid to almost every monument in many countries. I do not see what the big deal is. By the way if the tower is included in a background for other shoots like fashion or whatever only a regular permission is needed in order to use the area.
Actually, the law prohibits any pictures of the lighted Eiffel Tower; whether for private or commercial use. It is just that the French have determined it would be too costly to enforce the law for private photo taking. This is one instance where they have actually applied common sense.
Oct 19, 2017 08:46:35 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
GoofyNewfie wrote:
it's only the lighting that's protected.
The alteration of the Eiffel Tower in 1985 – the addition of exterior, nighttime lighting – is considered an artistic work and is thus protected under French copyright law.
The alteration of the Eiffel Tower in 1985 – the addition of exterior, nighttime lighting – is considered an artistic work and is thus protected under French copyright law.
My statement was meant as a slam on the OP. Not as a real concern statement. Who really cares if we are, or are not allowed to take a photo of the tower at night. WHO CARES.
Oct 19, 2017 09:12:59 #
GoofyNewfie wrote:
it's only the lighting that's protected.
The alteration of the Eiffel Tower in 1985 – the addition of exterior, nighttime lighting – is considered an artistic work and is thus protected under French copyright law.
The alteration of the Eiffel Tower in 1985 – the addition of exterior, nighttime lighting – is considered an artistic work and is thus protected under French copyright law.
The only problem, IMHO is that the strobe lights and chasing lights only detract from the Eiffel Tower.
Oct 19, 2017 09:21:42 #
jbk224 wrote:
Actually, the law prohibits any pictures of the lighted Eiffel Tower; whether for private or commercial use. It is just that the French have determined it would be too costly to enforce the law for private photo taking. This is one instance where they have actually applied common sense.
Not quite right the law allows for fair use, like it or not. Even those holding the copyrights know they cannot go against the tourists who take pictures but certainly will go against those who make post cards for the same tourists. This has been going on for ages and is not new.
Also what most folks miss here is the illumination copyright is basically perpetual as if the light design changes with the season, celebration or commemoration each event lighting holds its own copyright unlike the frame itself when turned off. THAT part is gone. This is why there is a copy of the tower in Las Vegas.
Now there are new laws that are being created in France and elsewhere that has nothing to do with copyright but security. These are enforced on the spot by folks (cops or military) that have absolutely no clue of what is wrong or what is not. Holding a camera is sometime considered a potential crime waiting to happen.
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This, as usual is blown out of proportion and much ado about nothing.
Oct 19, 2017 09:22:27 #
BobHartung wrote:
The only problem, IMHO is that the strobe lights and chasing lights only detract from the Eiffel Tower.
Agree...Cheezy!
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