Photos of other people's property

Can I use them?

[zomega42]

I am wondering about the copyright issues that go along with photos. I know that if I took a photo of a person, I couldn't use that photo on my website (legally, in the US at least) without that person's permission. Especially if I'm using it to, say, promote a product.

But what if I take a photo of someone else's property, then do I need permission? For instance if I take a photo of someone's car, or someone's dog.

[buckworks]

Where would you be when you took the pictures you intend to publish?

In some jurisdictions that could make a difference. The rules about fair use or permissions required might vary depending on whether you were standing on private or public ground when you took the pictures.

If something is publicly visible from a public location, it's probably fair game for pictures, but find someone who knows the legalities that would apply in your area so you'd know for sure. When in doubt, get permission.

Side comment: be sure you understand that "public access" does not necessarily mean "public property". Example: the public areas of shopping malls are privately owned.

[zomega42]

Wow so it's more complicated than I thought.

What I'm actually also concerned about is photos posted by other people on my site, and whether I need to police them. In that case there's definitely no way I'll know where the photographer was standing.

[Syzygy]

Here's a useful primer on photography and copyright (including legislation pertaining to the photographing of buildings) from the American Society of Media Photographers [asmp.org], and a collection of relevant copyright links [photosecrets.com].

Syzygy