Why Photos of the Eiffel Tower at Night are Illegal

Summary

This video explores the peculiarities of French copyright law, particularly the absence of the Freedom of Panorama, which restricts commercial use of images featuring certain buildings. The Eiffel Tower, though in the public domain, has its night lights copyrighted, making night photos illegal. The video humorously navigates the legal landscape of capturing and sharing European landmarks, all while promoting Squarespace for website building with a 10% discount for viewers.

Takeaways

• 💻 Squarespace sponsors this video, offering 10% off on website building.
• ⚖️ Finding videos of the Eiffel Tower at night is difficult because they are illegal.
• 📚 French copyright law is a bit quirky, especially regarding the Eiffel Tower.
• 🇫🇷 In France, taking videos of copyrighted buildings for commercial use is a violation.
• 🏛️ Buildings are classified as artistic works and have copyright protections like movies and songs.
• 🌍 The European Union allows countries to have their own rules on the freedom of Panorama.
• 🌉 The Eiffel Tower's design is in the public domain since Gustave Eiffel died in 1923.
• 💡 The lights on the Eiffel Tower, installed in 1985, are still under copyright.
• 🚫 Photos of the Eiffel Tower at night are illegal due to the lights being copyrighted.
• 📸 Other landmarks like the Louvre Pyramid and Little Mermaid statue also have copyright restrictions.
• 💼 While the Eiffel Tower’s copyright hasn't been enforced in court, it could happen anytime.
• 🌐 Squarespace offers free trials and customizable templates with no credit card required.

Q & A

Why is it difficult to find videos of the Eiffel Tower at night on stock footage sites?

Videos of the Eiffel Tower at night are considered illegal due to a quirk in French copyright law.

What is the general rule regarding the duration of copyright protection in various countries?

The duration of copyright protection is usually the lifetime of the creator plus a certain number of years, which is 70 years in most countries including the European Union.

What is the 'Freedom of Panorama' in the context of EU copyright law?

The 'Freedom of Panorama' is an exception to EU copyright law that allows the public to film, reproduce, and sell images of buildings and other artistic works in public spaces without infringing on copyright.

Why is France an exception to the 'Freedom of Panorama' clause in the EU?

The European Union permits its member states to opt out of the 'Freedom of Panorama' clause, and France has chosen not to include it in its copyright laws.

What changed in French copyright law regarding images and videos of copyrighted buildings as of 2016?

As of 2016, it became legal to take images and videos of copyrighted buildings in France for personal use, but commercial use remains a copyright violation.

Why is it legal to show the Eiffel Tower during the day, but not at night?

The Eiffel Tower itself is in the public domain because its copyright has lapsed, but the lights installed in 1985 are still within their copyright term, making night photos or videos illegal reproductions of a copyrighted work.

Who originally designed the Eiffel Tower, and how did Gustave Eiffel come to own the copyright?

The Eiffel Tower was designed by Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier, who were employees of Stephen Sauvestre. Gustave Eiffel bought the design and, with it, the copyright.

When did the copyright for the Eiffel Tower lapse, and why is it no longer protected?

The copyright for the Eiffel Tower lapsed in 1993, 70 years after the death of Gustave Eiffel in 1923, following the standard copyright duration rule.

What are some other examples of European landmarks whose night photos or videos might be subject to copyright restrictions?

Examples include the pyramid of the Louvre, the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, and the main train station in Rome.

How can one legally obtain a video of the Eiffel Tower without infringing on copyright?

One can legally obtain a video of the Eiffel Tower during the day when the lights are not visible, as the structure itself is in the public domain.

What is the promotional offer provided by Squarespace for new users as mentioned in the video script?

Squarespace offers a 10% discount on the first purchase for users who sign up through the link squarespace.com/HAI, and they can also try the service for free without providing credit card information.