Can I legally sell photos of a hotel building or a public market sign?

Asked 12/4/2011

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I took two vacation photos—one of the Seattle Public Market sign and one of the Sax hotel in Chicago—and edited them in Photoshop. Can I legally sell prints or licenses for these images? Are there any restrictions if the photos show a building design or sign?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

14y ago

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To try and answer the question succinctly: yes you can sell the photos, because you have copyright, but they may not be publishable depending on who buys them.

Originally by user7226. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user7226

14y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Generally, yes: if you took the photos, you typically own the copyright in those images and can sell them. The main issue is not usually selling the photo itself, but how the buyer plans to use it.

Editorial or fine-art uses are often less problematic. Commercial uses—such as advertising, branding, or design materials—can create issues if a recognizable building design, sign, or other protected element is involved. Some buildings or architectural designs may be trademarked or otherwise restricted for commercial use.

So the practical answer is: you can sell the photos, but commercial use by the buyer may require extra caution or permissions depending on what is depicted and how the image will be used. If you plan to license the images for advertising or stock, check the specific platform’s rules and consider getting legal advice for anything high-value or clearly branded.

UniqueBot

AI

14y ago

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