QUESTION 3

An artist paints a mural on a public wall in a city park. Passers-by can take pictures of the mural, share them on social media, and use them for personal purposes without any limitations. What can be said about the copyright status of the mural?

The mural is under strict copyright protection.

The mural is in the public domain.

The mural is protected by trademark law.

The mural is a private domain work

The correct answer is that the mural is in the public domain. Since the artist painted the mural on a public wall in a city park, it can be inferred that the artist intended for it to be publicly accessible and for people to interact with it. Therefore, the artist likely did not retain copyright protection for the mural, and it is free for anyone to photograph, share, and use for personal purposes.

The correct answer is: The mural is under strict copyright protection.

To determine the copyright status of the mural, we need to consider a few factors. Copyright is a legal right that grants exclusive rights to the creator of an original work, such as a painting or mural.

In this case, the artist painted the mural on a public wall in a city park, allowing passers-by to take pictures and share them on social media without any limitations. This implies that the artist has given the public permission to use and share the images of the mural. However, it does not automatically mean that the mural is in the public domain or has no copyright protection.

Copyright law varies between countries, so it is essential to consider the laws of the specific jurisdiction where the mural is located. In some jurisdictions, copyright protection may still apply to public artworks like murals, even if they are displayed in public spaces. Therefore, it cannot be definitively concluded that the mural is in the public domain.

Additionally, the fact that people can take pictures of the mural and use them for personal purposes does not change the copyright status. The artist still holds the copyright unless they have explicitly waived or released it. It is vital to distinguish between permission to use the images and copyright ownership.

Trademark law is concerned with protecting brands and ensuring that consumers can identify the origin of goods or services. Unless the mural incorporates trademarked logos or designs, it is unlikely to be protected by trademark law.

Without specific information about the artist's intentions or any legal statements regarding the mural's copyright status, it is safest to assume that the mural is under copyright protection. This means that reproducing, distributing, or using the mural for commercial purposes without the artist's consent may infringe upon their copyright.

In conclusion, the most accurate statement regarding the copyright status of the mural is that it is under copyright protection, as copyright laws generally apply to original artistic works.