Is The Shape Of The Eiffel Tower Copyrighted?

Is the shape of the Eiffel Tower copyrighted?

I was wondering this as I was thinking about posting two great branding designs I found in Paris this month. It got me asking this question.

According to the tower’s official website, Eiffel Tower's shape and design were protected by copyright until 1993, 70 years after the death of its architect, Gustave Eiffel. Images of the Eiffel Tower taken after 1993 are in the public domain and can be used without permission, including for commercial purposes. (Warning, you can’t just take for instance my photos of the Eiffel Tower as I own the copyright to them as they are my creative vision.)

To clarify: “The image of the Eiffel Tower by day falls within the public domain: its use is rights-free, and may therefore be reproduced without prior authorisation by the SETE, the managing company of the image of the Eiffel Tower on behalf of the Mairie de Paris.” https://lnkd.in/dgWfBJn3

However, the Eiffel Tower's nighttime lights are considered a separate artistic creation and are protected by copyright under French law. Depending on the life of the creator, the copyright for the lights could last until at least 2055. Professional use of images of the Eiffel Tower at night may require prior authorization and could be subject to a fee.

Now that copyrights are more clear, back to great designs…

The designs I found were both at Paris Saint-Germain F.C. football shop on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées … yes looking for well designed merchandise for my husband in my epic running around Paris solely for this purpose. I love the T-shirt (Below) and may have to get out the iPad to see if I can recreate my version. I think the design has everything. It’s classic and simple: Paris, Eiffel Tower; French, the colors of the flag…and it doesn't need to say anything about the football team. This design without the Paris Saint-Germain patch on it would be a great general tourism idea and it doesn’t scream tourists.

Well done! The second design I found in the shop I am kicking myself for not taking a photo of as I can not find an image to show anywhere…I’ll post about that one next.

What is your favorite travel merch you have picked up and why?

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