I was wondering if somebody knew about the legality issues with photos that are online. If a photo is an AP (Associated Press) photo, is it illegal to use it on a T-shirt. If so, how about if the photo is altered. For example, changed to black-and-white or cropped and altered so that it almost impossible to confirm a source.
AP photos are copyrighted, so yes that would be illegal. The fact that something is online has no bearing - the fact that people think things that are online have less or no protection is a particularly illogical and hurtful piece of misinformation. Altering them does not make them any less copyrighted. Any myths you may have heard about changing things past a certain threshold are just that: myths.
That enters a grey area - it may be okay, or it might not, depending on the specific image, what it was being used for, how much it was used as a reference vs. just copying it, etc. You'd probably want to talk to a lawyer about that so you can get into specifics with them.
Dont mean to thread jack but i have a question, I personally took a picture of the Hollywood sign and was wondering if i can put that on a shirt and sell it?
I personally took a picture of the Hollywood sign and was wondering if i can put that on a shirt and sell it?
Hmm, interesting question. I really don't know - someone here might.
It's highly likely to be fine, but I don't know. In general architecture can be legally photographed. However some buildings likeness' are protected by trademark (the Empire State Building is one such building). So it's possible someone has a trademark on the Hollywood sign, I have no idea. I think that kind of thing is rare, but I guess if any sign were to have a trademark it would be that one.
Okay, ignore the "likely okay", and pay attention to the "could be trademarked" According to Wikipedia:
Quote:
The sign is now a registered trademark and cannot be used without the permission of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which also manages the Walk of Fame.
Legal Issues with photos 
According to Wikipedia:
