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Can I take a picture of copyrighted material?



Are pictures of pictures under copyright infringement? For example if I were to take pictures of someone reading a magazine would that be infringing on copyright laws, if it was used for a photography project?

It kinda depends on Intent.

If the magazine in your photograph is just a prop, it probably wouldn't matter at all to the copyright holder. It may fall under the "Fair Use" regulations.

However, if you're taking pictures of the magazine alone that probably *is* an infringement. Mainly because you're copying someone else's work.

(Likewise, posing a photograph *you're* taking to closely resemble another photograph you *didn't* take is *also* copyright infringement.)
Advertising, fashion, interior design and lifestyle photographers frequently include paintings, sculptures, drawings, craft items, architectural works, jewelry, clothing, toys or other artistic works into their photographs. Such items are protectable by copyright. The owner of the copyright has the exclusive right to reproduce the copyright work, and photographing a copyrighted work amounts to reproducing it. Therefore, before you take a photo of any copyright work, you will need the prior permission of the copyright owner. Photographers who infringe a copyright may be required to compensate for the economic loss, that is, to pay the damages they have caused and sometimes also other expenses, such as legal expenses.

The following exampless may help you find out when prior permission is required to be taken for a photo:

Copyright law protects a range of different types of material. Examples of copyright works that are routinely reproduced in photographs are:

-Literary works (such as books, newspapers, catalogs, magazines);

-Artistic works (such as cartoons, paintings, sculptures, statues, architectural works, computer and laser artwork);

-Photographic works (such as photos, engravings, posters);

-Maps, globes, charts, diagrams and technical drawings;

-Advertisements, commercial prints, billboards and labels;

-Motion pictures (such as films, documentaries, television advertisements);

-Dramatic works (such as dance, plays, mime); and

-Works of applied art (such as artistic jewelry, wallpaper, carpets, toys and fabrics).
How about when the astronauts took a picture of the earth. Look at all of thoes billboards that were photographed. -- All at once ! WOW
Under copyright laws, your reproduction of the original picture can be considered copyright infringement. However, in a practical sense, you are unlikely to face litigation over your picture particularly if you only use it for an educational, non-profit purpose.
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