PHOTO : Copyright Graffiti

Hi,


I have a few pictures of Graffiti I took a while back. Some of those paintings are mine, other are some friends or just shots I took in the streets. I'm wondering if there are any copyright on this kind of art and if there any how can I claim the ones I painted?


Here are some examples:


https://dl.dropbox.com/u/76675310/P1024120.JPG


https://dl.dropbox.com/u/76675310/P1044145.JPG


https://dl.dropbox.com/u/76675310/P1024118.JPG


 

Cool work, You will need to fill out a property release and also get one from your friend, just upload them in the model release section. We do allow some graffiti, these are full of wonderful graphics and will require releases.

Great stuff. Check the files for CA before submitting.

There is a difference in what is considered graffiti art and tagging.  Graffiti art needs a property release while tagging does not.  All of your examples would be considered graffiti art so you would need a signed property release from the artist even if it's your own work.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graffiti
On this link directly to the right you'll see that "Graffiti in Toronto" would be art. "Graffiti in Los Angeles" would be tagging.


http://weburbanist.com/2009/09/24/graffiti-designs-styles-tagging-bombing-painting/ The second paragraph under the word TAG is a good example of what would be allowable without a release.


Hopes this helps

(Edited on 2012-11-23 11:31:55 by bobbieo)

Thanks a lot for your help guys. I didn't even know that graffiti were copyrighted as this kind of art is only ephemeral. I'll get the property release forms and get them filled before submitting the pictures.


Thanks again!

As tagging or graffiti is illegal it's not copyrighted


 


You cannot profit from any illegal activity

Not all street art is illegal. You would have to know more about it in order to determine that.

Illegal or not, It's someone else's intellectual property, and therfore can fall under copyright laws, making profits isn't a prereqresit to copyright. Tagging is a low risk and most likely very temporary in nature.

Regardless of anyone's opinion of what is or isn't law, all that's really relevant here is iStock's acceptance policies. bobbieo has explained how we approach graffiti in her post above.




Indeed, and part of why we exercise caution and respect in considering licensing a third party's artwork.

At least i will not be sued by graffiti artits if it is done in illegal place