Just curious are there any restrictions or laws for real building modeling (commercial use)? For example modeling some existing hospital, skyscraper, or else with interior and exterior?
I’ve always wondered about that as well.
Obviously if it has any brand logos on the front then you wont be able to use those, but as for the arcitecture it’s self I have no idea.
I can only draw a parallel from photography, in which the law varies by country. Typically in photography if the building is the principle subject in the shot and it is a recognisable building, then you need to seek permission from the building owner. Public/Government buildings are typically excluded from this. I assume the same thing would apply to use in games, especially if you intend bad things to happen to them.
If you were modelling say a large section of London, you could argue that no single building was the subject, and therefore you might be excluded. But if it’s a single building that features prominently, then you may well need permission.
Yep i mean architecture, and also maybe using real name “logos” of buildings…for example if there is name of building displayed somewhere on building with big letters.
Hm ok, but does that means that Activision asked for permision of nearly hundreds of dfifferent very famous building owners? They didnt just modeled their buildings but actually caused a lot of bad things to them.
hmmm… in what game that was? I wat to play that game:)
Cod 7 
Yeh indeed it was cod mw3.
what if you model them in a boat that’s on international waters? then it’s safe right? :-0
It depends on the building, but yes - for recogniseable or famous buildings, permission will likely have to be sought if you intend to make a replica of them.
See the Resistance/Manchester Cathedral debacle.
Ok thanks for answers. One more question…what if you use building for huge inspiration and there are 50% of architecture that you copy and the rest is made up, do you still need permision?
Note that even if by law you did not require any permission, an owner of a recognizable building still would be able to unleash the lawyers if they feel the building was used in a game that they don’t agree with for whatever moral reasons they think will now be tied to their persona.
So even if the law was in favor of the artist, you still would run a risk of still having to defend your stance in court, and that may not be economically feasible. It’s a very common practice these days to sue with the goal of driving a business broke instead of suing with real legal standing.
In other words: I’d avoid it.
“Everything is a remix”. Just try to make it unique enough. Change window types, brick color, gargoyle placement and look, change tips for domes or vise-versa, etc.
Even better: model your building after two or three different buildings, taking distinct ideas from each.
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Ok thanks for advice.