Today is the birthday of the Statue of Liberty, dedicated in New York Harbor 140 years ago, Oct. 28, 1886. Lady Liberty was a gift from the people of France to the United States, but she belongs to the whole world.

Her famous face is not trademarked. Her name is not copyrighted. Anyone can try to make a buck using her image, but the only way to get to Liberty Island and nearby Ellis Island is on the boats of Statue City Cruises, under contract with the National Park Service.

And as we’ve pointed out for years, those are the only boat tickets that can be sold or offered for sale in Battery Park or outside of the South Ferry and Bowling Green subway stations (which are both located on city parkland). It is illegal to sell anything in a New York City park without a permit or franchise and only the........

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