Can A Monkey Own A Copyright?

[naomi24]

I've just heard part of a most bizarre discussion on the radio.

Wikipedia refuses to delete a selfie taken by a monkey that hijacked a photographer's camera, claiming that since the monkey took the picture it owns the copyright.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/11015672/Wikipedia-refuses-to-delete-photo-as-monkey-owns-it.html

[smurfchops]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2718120/Photographer-demands-Wikipedia-remove-famous-photograph-monkeys-selfie.html

[smurfchops]

Why did I put the link on when it was already there? Sorry Senior Moment all ...

[pixie373]

The only person claiming the monkey owns the copyright is the photographer. Wikipedia hasn't said that- only that the photographer doesn't own it. Which i imagine is right.

[pixie373]

They are right. Nobody owns it-

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/types/copy/c-ownership/c-ownership-faq/c-ownership-faq-who.htm

[sandyRoe]

If an animal can win a Dickin Medal for bravery I can't see why a monkey can't hold on to its intellectual property.

[Old_Geezer]

Ah but the law doesn't decide right from wrong, merely what is permitted and what not. One could argue that the monkey should own the copyright but from the above it seems that legally it can not. Personally I think all this copyright nonsense is in need of replacement anyway.

[retrocop]

I disagree naomi.The monkey was tried according to the law of the jungle.

[wolf63]

http://tinyurl.com/p6zo5df


They are all at ti

[jomifl]

The picture was uploaded by the monkey's uncle.

[ludwig]

Did the monkey take part in the discussion? It reminds me of the NTNON sketch..
'When I first caught Gerald he was completely wild'
'Wild? I was absolutely livid.'

[kvalidir]

I believe that the photographer owns the copyright for the following reason. To own copyright you have to have ' created or significantly been part of the creation process, or be an employer of or an enabler of the person creating the image'. That means essentially if I am taking pictures at a rock concert and you say to me ' Can I have a go' and take a picture I will likely own the copyright not you, because I applied for the accreditation, I went to the expense of purchasing the equipment, the digital media it was recorded on is solely mine, and I have employed or enabled you to take the photograph. That photograph is never coming off my memory card without my work and say so. If I then adjust it and edit it and market it, that's further 'creative' work I have put into it's existence. It's the same scenario with this guy and the monkey, and it's just wiki being ar ses and thinking they can actually decide. this needs fighting because people using your pictures without consent / paymentis a nightmare as it is, this just takes it to new levels.

[weecalf]

is t here some rule on copy right where you post the item to your self or something like that ...... and don't open the letter/parcel .