Right to photograph European landmarks safeguarded

I was relieved MEPs rejected a controversial proposal that would require photographers to get permission from copyright holders before commercially using photos of landmarks and public places.

Contrary to reports in the media, the proposal put forward by a French MEP came as part of a European Parliament non-legislative report to feed into new Commission proposals on copyright law and so would not have been binding.

Yet many people in Europe were concerned that if the clause passed it would send a dangerous signal that Freedom of Panorama (FOP) in the EU should be restricted. Over 500,000 people signed a petition calling on MEPs to reject the proposal.

Both UKIP and members of Britain's right-wing media jumped at the opportunity to stoke fears about the EU infringing on our right to take photographs.

However in the end, only half of UKIP's 22 Euro MPs bothered to turn up to vote. It is frustrating to see UKIP spend more time spreading myths in the UK than standing up for their constituents in Brussels.

It makes absolutely no sense to restrict photos of public buildings in the digital age and I am pleased the right to photograph European landmarks has been safeguarded.