Tourists warned they are breaking the law because taking photos of the Eiffel Tower at night or sharing images on Facebook is ILLEGAL Obscure clause means taking and sharing photos is a copyright violation Landmark falls within public domain, so tourists can take photos in the day But illuminations an art work, so reproducing images requires permission PUBLISHED: 13:03, 12 November 2014 | UPDATED: 09:07, 20 November 2014 Lit up at night, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic sights in the world. Its an image that embodies the French capital. But an obscure clause in EU copyright rules means that taking and sharing photos of the tower taken in the evening is actually a violation that could land tourists with a fine. The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 which means that it falls within the public domain, so tourists can snap away liberally during the day. But the impressive lights that illuminate the attraction at night are technically an art work, so reproducing requires the permission of the artist. It also means that it is technically illegal to share images of the Eiffel Tower on social media sites such as Facebook. While the EUs 2001 information society directive says photographs of architectural works in public spaces can be taken free of charge, the clause is optional. Countries including Italy, Belgium and France opted out of transposing it into national law. The lightshow is protected by copyright, Dimitar Dimitrov, a policy expert for the European Wikimedia chapters in Brussels, said. On its website, the Eiffel Tower confirms that uses of photographs are subject to certain restrictions. Daytime views from the Eiffel Tower are rights-free, it reads.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 07:55:42 +0000