Did you know that sharing photos of the Eiffel Tower taken at night on social media could be illegal? This common action done by many tourists might actually mean a copyright violation. So, why is there such a ban? The Eiffel Tower is considered a work of art and, like all works of art, is under copyright protection. However, what’s interesting here is that the copyright pertains not to the tower itself but to its nighttime illumination.
Is Sharing Night Photos of the Eiffel Tower Legal?
The lighting designed by Pierre Bideau in 1985 adds a unique allure to the tower’s night appearance. Bideau’s design is protected under copyright. Therefore, photos taken at night may infringe on this copyright.
Impact of Copyright on Night Illumination
The company managing the Eiffel Tower, Société d’exploitation De La Tour Eiffel, controls and subjects these night shootings to permission. In short, sharing night photos of the Eiffel Tower without permission may lead to their removal due to copyright infringement. Remember to consider this detail during your next visit to Paris.
Source: Tour Eiffel
