17 U.S.C. § 120 — Scope of exclusive rights in architectural works

(a) Pictorial Representations Permitted. Even though a building's design can be copyrighted as an "architectural work," that copyright doesn't stop people from making, distributing, or publicly showing pictures, paintings, or photos of the building — as long as the building is in a public place, or can normally be seen from one. (b) Alterations to and Destruction of Buildings. Copyright law normally gives the copyright owner the exclusive right to make new versions of a work (under section 106(2)). But this section says that rule doesn't apply here: the people who own the actual building may change it, or allow someone else to change it, and may tear it down, or allow someone else to tear it down — all without needing permission from the architect or copyright owner.