[WikiEN-l] Painting copyright

Tue Dec 21 09:12:27 UTC 2004

Robin Shannon wrote:

>The copyright on the paintings of the great masters are obviously all
>well out of date, however, does this mean that straight photos of
>these are uncopyrightable? Or are they like translations of the
>classics which are copyrightable. It just seems that not enough has
>been down by taking a photo (or photocopying or scanning or however
>the hell it is that art galleries make thier pictures of paintings) to
>really justify calling it a new work in its own right.
>
>Anyone know the answer? Even any unqualified people want to take a
>stab at guessing the answer?
>
>Also if they are copyrightable, does anyone know of any place where
>there are PD/open license pics of the works of the great masters?
>  
>
The copyrightability of photographs of Paintings that are in the public 
domain has been a matter of considerable dispute both here and 
elsewhere.  I support the view that they are not copyright because there 
is not enough creative effort involved.

Ec