In practical terms, freedom of panorama means that when a sculpture, mural, or contemporary building is permanently installed in a public place, it may usually be included in photographs, videos, drawings, or other visual works.
This freedom differs substantially in national laws. It generally applies as long as the depiction does not misrepresent the work or falsely claim authorship of it. However, not all countries recognize freedom of panorama—and those that do often apply it in different ways.
Different Approaches Across Countries
Across the world, countries draw the boundaries of freedom of panorama in different ways.
Typical points of variation include what qualifies as a “”, whether the artwork must be permanent, whether commercial use is allowed, and whether the rule applies only to buildings or also to artworks such as sculptures or murals.
A common pattern is that buildings are more often covered, while artworks receive more protection. In some countries, freedom of panorama applies broadly to architecture but only narrowly, or not at all, to other kinds of artworks. In others, the exception exists but is limited to non-commercial uses.
Even where freedom of panorama exists, additional legal layers may still apply, such as , trademark law, cultural heritage rules, or other conditions imposed on access to certain sites. Temporary installations, interior spaces, or images taken from non-public viewpoints may fall outside the exception.
What “Public” and “Permanent” Usually Mean
The meaning of “public place” and “permanent” is not the same everywhere. Typically, a public place is understood as an area freely accessible to the public, often outdoors, though in some countries it may also include interiors open to the public.
“Permanent” usually means that the artwork or building is installed on a long-term basis, not as part of a temporary exhibition or event. Temporary displays are often excluded from freedom of panorama exceptions.
Why This Matters for Photography, Tourism, and Publishing
Freedom of panorama plays an important role in everyday visual culture.
Where the rule is broad, creators can usually take, publish, share, and sometimes sell images of public-space artworks and buildings without seeking permission. This can be seen as a way to support tourism, cultural visibility, and creative reuse, although this benefit is not felt equally everywhere, since itself is not applied uniformly across countries.
Where the rule is limited or absent, commercial uses may require clearance, particularly when an artwork or building is the main subject of the image. This can affect photographers, publishers, designers, tourism businesses, and digital platforms.
Digital Sharing and New Technologies
Because images circulate globally online, differences between national rules matter even more. A photograph taken lawfully in one country may still raise questions when shared, sold, or accessed in another.
Emerging practices, such as drone photography, 360-degree tours, or immersive digital environments, can further complicate how freedom of panorama applies, especially when images are captured from viewpoints not accessible to the general public.
can make it easier to depict art and architecture in public spaces, but it is not a universal rule. Its scope depends on national law, the type of work, the nature of the space, and how the image is used.
For visual artists, photographers, and publishers, the safest approach is to check whether freedom of panorama applies where the work is located and where the image will be used, especially for commercial or widely distributed projects.
Image credit: Egor Myznik