The photographical reproduction of this architectural work is covered under United States copyright law (17 USC 120(a)), which states that while architectural works completed after December 1st, 1990 are protected by copyright law, photography is not an infringement of it. Architectural works completed before this date were not copyrighted in completed form and may also be photographed. (The plans may have been copyrighted, which would prevent building a duplicate of the building, but not photographing it) See Commons:Freedom of Panorama#United States for more information.
This law only applies to architectural works (such as buildings or other structures) and not other forms of 3D or 2D artwork such as sculptures, paintings, or posters. Images of these artworks taken in the US must be deleted unless they are in the public domain, or their presence is incidental.
Definition of "architectural works"
The scope of "architectural works" for copyright is given in U.S. law as:
An “architectural work” is the design of a building as embodied in any tangible medium of expression, including a building, architectural plans, or drawings. The work includes the overall form as well as the arrangement and composition of spaces and elements in the design, but does not include individual standard features. (17 U.S. Code §101)
"Building", as used in 17 U.S. Code §101, is further defined as:
Humanly habitable structures that are intended to be both permanent and stationary, such as houses and office buildings, and other permanent and stationary structures designed for human occupancy, including but not limited to churches, museums, gazebos, and garden pavilions. (CFR 202.11(b)(2))
The following works are not given copyright protection:
Structures other than buildings. Structures other than buildings, such as bridges, cloverleafs, dams, walkways, tents, recreational vehicles, mobile homes, and boats. (CFR 202.11(d))
