http://newurbanist.blogspot.com/2005/01/copyrighting-of-public-space.html

I know you have photographed "The Bean" in the past. I think all Chicagoans should go out with their cameras and shoot in Millenium park.

This topic came up on the NPPA list serv concerning how the Eifel Tower is also copyrighted. I think the whole idea is kinda sad but some people had some good counter points such as what if someone took a photo of one of your photos on a billboard (public space) and used it in a book and you got no credit. Considering most photographer are extremely paranoid about their work being used without permission the topic get's a little sticky.

Absolutely.

It's total BS if you ask me, and it gets worse. One night a few months ago I was there with a few people and a guard came up to me and asked to see my permit. I was less than pleasant with him, and since it was late he decided to not push the matter further and instead started talking with us. He expressed an interest in photography and commented on how he hates asking, but he's required to. Apparently (this is what he told me, take it with a grain of salt) the guards are told to look for tripods and approach those people about permits. They can leave P&S users alone. That's right, wanting to take quality pictures with a nice camera and lens, and wanting no shake apparently will cost you.

The thing is, unless EVERYONE was being held up to the same standards, no one will say a thing simply because those without high quality gear are not likely to find out about these limits. That's what makes articles like the one referenced that much more important. If the issue is publisized enough and more people speak out against the absurdity of it all, then maybe it will change.

Until then, I'll be there with my shiny chrome tripod taking pics of whatever I damn well please. I want to see them prove to me that I intend to make money off of it.

Next time you intend to do some BIG GUN photography in NYC.... they WON'T both me, so I will be there. :)

last I checked ....

I can take images OF ANYTHING in a PUBLIC PLACE..... and I DO!!!!!!!

I'm all for an artist getting paid for what they create, unless I can enjoy it for free that is. ;) I think it's insane to think that you can put something in a public place and then charge someone to photograph it. So the city doesn't want people making money off of the artists work, but isn't that exactly what the city is doing by charging to photograph the artists work? I wonder what the creators who sold these works of art to the city think about this. I don't remember seeing any input from them in the article...