While this is a legal question, it's an area often broached by photographers: that of the property release. An individual's right of publicity is widely recognized, and obtaining model releases from recognizable individuals in photos used for commercial purposes is accepted as common practice.
That said, I've heard that the notion of needing a property release to utilize images of private property is one that has not been tested in court in the United States. Are there any examples of companies or individuals which have gone to court and received a ruling indicating whether a property release is needed?
(note: I realize that if a building/property has a formal trademark, such as the Transamerica Building, this becomes a trademark infringement issue - I'm concerned here with a general property release issue)