Contradiction on copyright; wikimedia commons vs. EXIF metadata.

Question

Information from the following URLs support the assertion that this painting is in the public domain. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thomas_Cotton.jpg http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/paintings/sir-thomas-cotton-15921662-bt-191626 The EXIF metadata contradicts this assertion and claims it is copyrighted. Any guidance, any advice?

Comments

I'm not an expert, so am only commenting.

Copyright on photographs is owned by the photographer (unless they've sold or given away the copyright). If the BBC staff took the photo, The BBC staff owns it.

Wikimedia on the other hand has taken a stance, that all "faithful" reproductions of public domain work are also in the public domain. That's their opinion right or wrong.

This sounds like something lawyers could get rich on.

I'd err on the side of safe, believe the BBC. You can add a link to the page with the picture.

Oops yes Vince is correct it's the Trustees of the the British Museum, not the BBC. However the other information still applies.

 

---

Anne, your comment should be an answer. It's right on.