---
title: "Freedom of panorama"
description: "A copyright rule in many countries that lets anyone photograph and share images of artworks and buildings permanently installed in public places."
glossary: "https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary"
source: "https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary/freedom-of-panorama"
---

# Freedom of panorama

> A copyright rule in many countries that lets anyone photograph and share images of artworks and buildings permanently installed in public places.

Glossary: https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary  
Source: https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary/freedom-of-panorama

The rule varies sharply by country, which surprises people. Canada's
Copyright Act expressly permits reproducing architecture and sculptures or
works of artistic craftsmanship that are permanently situated in a public
place. The United States' equivalent covers buildings only. A commercial
use of a photograph of a copyrighted sculpture can still infringe, even if
the sculpture sits in a public park.

For anyone publishing guides, maps, or tourism marketing, the practical
takeaway is to know which regime you're in and clear permissions where the
law is narrow. For programs, it's a reason to address photography rights in
the commissioning contract, so the city can actually promote the work it
paid for.

Related terms: [Moral rights](https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary/moral-rights), [Public realm](https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary/public-realm)

## Mentioned in

- [How to Photograph Public Art for Documentation](https://www.civiccollection.com/blog/how-to-photograph-public-art-for-documentation)