Posting Text From a Legally Taken Photo?
Aug 19, 2019 15:39:14 #
I am having an endless exchange with a Wikipedia editor who removed both my picture of a Historical Marker and the text from it I quoted. He bases his action on a hunch that everything is copyrighted one way or another.
This marker is in a public place and virtually all markers are visible from a public place, but explaining it is legal to photograph virtually anything that can be seen from a public place has no effect on him. It even says this in the Wikipedia article Photography and the Law.
Second, he says the text on the marker is copyrighted. This is a little grayer to me, but I would assume if it's legal to photograph the object it's legal to publish any text that is on the object.
Does anyone know the answer to this?
This marker is in a public place and virtually all markers are visible from a public place, but explaining it is legal to photograph virtually anything that can be seen from a public place has no effect on him. It even says this in the Wikipedia article Photography and the Law.
Second, he says the text on the marker is copyrighted. This is a little grayer to me, but I would assume if it's legal to photograph the object it's legal to publish any text that is on the object.
Does anyone know the answer to this?
Aug 19, 2019 16:14:30 #
Aug 19, 2019 16:26:06 #
It is a Texas Historical marker in a park in Alta Loma Texas. But, I think the answer should generalize to all text on objects in public places or at least to all public historical markers.
Aside: Seems odd a photography forum doesn't provide for posting pictures.
Aside: Seems odd a photography forum doesn't provide for posting pictures.
Aug 19, 2019 16:49:01 #
Leitz
Loc: Solms
i_am_jim wrote:
Seems odd a photography forum doesn't provide for posting pictures.
Seems odd that you've here over 4 years and don't know that nearly every section except for Main Photography Discussion does allow for posting pictures.
Edit: If you were not referring to UHH, please accept my apology.
Aug 19, 2019 16:50:59 #
i_am_jim wrote:
I am having an endless exchange with a Wikipedia e... (show quote)
Plagiarizing copyrighted text is quite a bit different from publishing a photo of the item (public information plaque) containing that text. The photo would be OK, quoting that text may not be.
Aug 19, 2019 17:00:21 #
It seems you are dealing with a dedicated and meticulous, but ill-informed editor. I suppose you could simply resubmit the same image but with the text section blurred out to please the editor.
Aug 19, 2019 17:21:08 #
Leitz wrote:
I've never visited any other section. But, it seems a picture feature has suddenly appeared.Seems odd that you've here over 4 years and don't know that nearly every section except for Main Photography Discussion does allow for posting pictures.
Aug 19, 2019 18:47:07 #
Here you go:
https://www.thc.texas.gov/
They have a contact page and if anyone has the answer to your question it would most likely be them.
https://www.thc.texas.gov/
They have a contact page and if anyone has the answer to your question it would most likely be them.
Aug 19, 2019 19:48:59 #
Thanks, but I contacted them and they say there is no copyright on the text, but the Wiki person says they aren't copyright people.
Aug 19, 2019 20:00:02 #
Just as I suspected, no copyright and even if there were one, I'm pretty sure this case would fall under the "fair use" provisions of copyright law.
Aug 19, 2019 21:05:31 #
i_am_jim wrote:
Thanks, but I contacted them and they say there is no copyright on the text, but the Wiki person says they aren't copyright people.
That makes absolutely no sense. Texas put the sign up. If Texas wrote the script they certainly should know whether or not they have a copyright. If someone else wrote it and had a copyright then it should be clearly marked on the sign. As ridiculous as it seems, if Wiki says they won't use it then I guess that is the end of the story.
Aug 19, 2019 22:14:29 #
But he doesn't even accept I have the right to post my photograph of the marker which is on public property, and the law is clear you can photograph almost anything if you are standing on public property. Exceptions are privacy related -- people undressing with their windows open, etc.
Aug 20, 2019 00:26:17 #
It may be legal to photograph something, but if it is copyrighted, it might not be legal to publish or sell it. Some art museums allow photography, but that doesn't automatically mean you could publish photos of the art
Aug 20, 2019 08:18:36 #
Aug 20, 2019 08:30:28 #
i_am_jim wrote:
Museums are not public spaces like streets and parks
But still, there is a difference between something being legal to photograph, and the legality of using it any way you please.
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