Demaestro - 4:21 pm on Jul 11, 2007 (gmt 0)

In your example of the Smith statue I would guess go ahead and do it, the reason being, search for an image of Eifel tower there are 5000+ on G and tour Eifel 15,000+. It seems unlikely that 20,000+ people asked permission from the heirs of Mr Eifel to put the image on their web site.

I agree that it should be fine but not for the reason given above.

Search the Internet for Metallica songs and there are 20,000+ files out there. I also doubt that that many people asked.... they are still not authorized to be there.

The initial poster is correct... if you are in a public place then you can take a picture of what ever you want. Monument included.

Think of it this way.... you aren't copying the art..... you are creating a new piece of art by simply taking a photo. In fact if you take a picture of the monument and the monument artist wants to use your photo of it he has to ask you permission to use your photo of his art.