any picture or video that i take at a "public" place with my camera is mine, correct? (the public place was at a rented banquet hall at a large hotel)

i was videotaping a "prom" for rock 106 (a local raido station) and caught a guy & girl kissing on one tape. turns out that they were both dating other people & they threatened to sue me if i posted the video on the raido stations website..

well, the email i got really ticked me off, so i posted it anyway..
i'm pretty sure i'm in the right here.. how do i find out for sure?

 

The Privacy Law basicaly says that if there is a reasonable expectation of privacy then it is illegal. If there isn't a reasonable expectation of privacy then it is a legal photo.

Example: A photo of a nude in their yard with a privacy fence that you took while on a ladder = ILLEGAL.
- However, same photo but you were able to take it while standing on a nearby hill, without some sort of super zoom lens = no reasonable expectation of privacy = LEGAL.

The problem you might concern yourself with, is who owns that photo. You said you took it while working for a radio station, and that you are posting it on the radio stations website. That should be okay, especialy if the Prom attendees knew that there was a radio station taking pictures at the Prom. Just don't post it anywhere else.

 

thanks for the examples.. that really helps me understand it better.

i wasn't working for the radio station.. they invite me to come videotape their antics.. no $$ or anything is exchanged.

 

clonetek,

If you are concerned, I would recommend contacting an attorney sooner rather than later.

 

i'm not really concerned.. just wanted another opinion.

thanks guys!

 

We don't want to lose you because you were thrown in the pokie or something...

 

So Kory Does that mean I can ignore the hate email I got from feminists in Virginia based on "Lemonade" shots I took at the Fun Ford Weekend events ? In case you don't know lemonade shots are pictures of attractive attendees at drag races ....It all started with the picture below... You would be amazed how many people took offense to pictures like that ....
I tried using the public event + press pass = its ok
scenario but they didn't buy it....

The world would be without Pam Anderson if bored photographers couldn't take shots of the crowd...

Are you an attorney or do you play one on TV ??
Thanks Doug

 

Im so sick of #$%$ people like that! Allways trying to control everyone else! Who the hell are they to tell ME what I should be able to look at/ hear and what MY kid should be able to be exposed to?


ARGH!

 

dang doug.. i thought you were taking a pic of the toy dragsters on the table behind her... i didn't even notice her standing there in her provocative attire. ROFLMAO!


tabloids always have "spy shots" of celebrities don't they?

 

If the organizers of the event didn't object to your video taping, I'm pretty sure you are in the clear so long as you don't sell the video or make a profit off of it unless it's for a news program. If you make money off of the video, then you need to get release forms from all the identifiable people.

 

How does that work for an NFL game when they pan the crowd ?

Funny its more about money than any privacy issue...

Doug

 

From some of the sporting events I have been too, there is some legalese fine print actually on the ticket that says you agree for your likeness to be used, or some such nonsense.

 

hope you guys don't mind if i vent two of my opinions here:

1. FEMINISTS SUCK

2. DOUG RULES!

 

Hey Doug,
No, I actually have degree in photojournalism, and have some experience with communication law.

As far as hate mail, that is just not nice. But that picture I like very much. Let me guess, the lady in the striped shirt sent the hate mail?

Clontek, I would hate to give you advice on what to do with the picture and then find out that you got in trouble. So if you are still worried about it I would talk to someone legaly, and not listen to someone like me who just took a couple classes. But from what you have said, the photo was posted on the radio stations website(?). Paid, or not, that was the reason you were at the prom right? So I would think that as long as the picture is only on the radio stations site, then it is their problem, because it is ultimately up to them what goes on their site. I don't have any experience with internet law, or making websites, so somebody please correct me if I am interpreting this wrong.

 

i hang out with the DJ's at the station all the time, and they encourage me to videotape them when they do crazy stunts..
i went to the "prom" because a bunch of friends were going.. and i bought a ticket to the event..
the website that i posted the video is actually donated to the DJ, and has nothing to do with the radio station. the website & message board is owned by another friend of mine..

it's pretty much blown over now, so no biggy.. thanks for the help though..

oh, should i start putting a copyright "logo" on all my digital pictures, like doug does?