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[Mr. A. Punshon]

If I take photos of churches and other old buildings for either family, local or social history purposes; do I own the copyright on these, am I entitled to sell them, are royalties/commissions likely to be required by building constructors/owners/users?

[cooler]

Mr. Punshon,

At least under US copyright law buildings constructed prior to 1990 are not afforded copyright protection, so no royalties need be paid to anyone. :-)

You can read the official word from the US Copyright Office here... http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-protect.html

[nobody]

To add... if taken from a public place, a sidewalk for example, it shouldn't matter anyway. Be aware that the anti-terrorism police might hassle you though.

A summary:
http://photography.about.com/library/weekly/aa100603b.htm


(U.S.) § 120. Scope of exclusive rights in architectural works

(a) Pictorial Representations Permitted. — 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.

http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#120