The Legal Quirk That Makes Filming the Eiffel Tower at Night Illegal

TLDRThe Eiffel Tower at night is a subject of copyright laws, making it illegal to film and reproduce. However, during the day, it is legal due to the expiration of copyright. This legal quirk applies to other landmarks as well.

Key insights

🔒Filming the Eiffel Tower at night is illegal due to copyright laws.

🌇Filming the Eiffel Tower during the day is legal as the copyright has expired.

🌍The Eiffel Tower copyright lapsed in 1993, 70 years after Gustave Eiffel's death.

Replicas of the Eiffel Tower sold in Paris are legal.

💡Other landmarks, such as the Louvre pyramid, have similar copyright restrictions.

Q&A

Why is filming the Eiffel Tower at night illegal?

Filming the Eiffel Tower at night is illegal due to copyright laws covering the lighting design, which is considered an artistic work.

Is it legal to film the Eiffel Tower during the day?

Yes, it is legal to film the Eiffel Tower during the day as the copyright has expired.

Are replicas of the Eiffel Tower sold in Paris legal?

Yes, replicas of the Eiffel Tower sold in Paris are legal as long as they don't violate any other copyright laws.

Are other landmarks subject to similar copyright restrictions?

Yes, other landmarks, such as the Louvre pyramid, also have copyright restrictions when it comes to filming and reproducing them.

Has the Eiffel Tower copyright ever been enforced in court?

No, the Eiffel Tower copyright has never been enforced in court, but that could change at any time.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Squarespace sponsored this video.

00:13Filming the Eiffel Tower at night is illegal due to copyright laws.

00:30The Eiffel Tower copyright lapsed in 1993, 70 years after Gustave Eiffel's death.

01:01Replicas of the Eiffel Tower sold in Paris are legal.

01:39Filming the Eiffel Tower during the day is legal as the copyright has expired.

02:59Other landmarks, such as the Louvre pyramid, have similar copyright restrictions.

03:17The lights on the Eiffel Tower are considered an artistic work and are still under copyright.

03:55The Eiffel Tower copyright has never been enforced in court, but that could change.