united-states copyright public-domain
Is a mall considered a &quot;public place&quot; for copyright purposes?
<p>I understand that if I want to take a picture of an area for commercial use, I am beholden to copyright laws.</p>
<p>As per <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2010-title17/pdf/USCODE-2010-title17-chap1-sec120.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">17 US 120</a>,</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The copyright in an architectural work that has been constructed does not include the right to prevent the making, distributing, or public display of pictures, paintings, photographs, or other pictorial representations of the work, if the building in which the work is embodied is located in or ordinarily visible from a public place.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The inside of a mall is an open space, but it is privately owned. Is it considered a &quot;public place&quot; by this definition?</p>

<h2>The mall is a privately owned public space</h2>
<p>At least while it’s open to the public.</p>
<p>A photograph of architecture taken from within it would not violate copyright. However, photographs of other things (like art) do not have the public space exemption.</p>
<p>Additionally, the owner can limit or restrict photography. This has nothing to do with copyright, just that an owner has the right to control what happens on their property (within legal limits).</p>
