Pic. taken in public places....

[tmax]

My website is all about Hollywood night life.
I go out and shoot a lot of pictures of Hollywoood Bands in the town.[nbsp][nbsp]

Someone please tell me(double check with me) abuot this subject. If I take pictures of un-suspecting people in the public place(I'm talking about the people on the street or club who are strangers to me), I can use their pictures on my web site, right?[nbsp][nbsp]As long as it's taken at the public places.[nbsp][nbsp]I think I'm legally allowed to do that, but I need to hear from someone who really knows the law.

Thank you.

[Deb]

but I need to hear from someone who really knows the law.

<font color=#FF0000>That's not me</font> for *facts* you will need to talk to a qualified lawyer....

Now in my non-qualified knowledge hole I understand the rules to be something like:

You can take pictures/video of ANYONE/THING/WHERE and show them to anyone/thing/where as long as there is no sound from the photographic event associated with them.

To record sound you need permission.

e.g. To record a phone call you make to me -- I need your permission.[nbsp][nbsp]But if I want to stick a video camera up against your bedroom window and I do *not* have the sound recording.. then I'm within my legal rights.

Is it fact or fiction? Ask a lawyer.. do I agree with any of the above as being correct? nope :(

But that's my ten cents anyway :)

Deb
[This message has been edited by Deb (edited 06-29-99)]

[Armand]

okay keep in mind I am not a lawyer.[nbsp][nbsp]And I assume this is all US based.

Taking pictures in a &quot;public&quot; place would be legal, though the level of picture taking may require permission from the local authorities, such as film making and stuff.[nbsp][nbsp]Of course this means on the streets, or government buildings, etc.[nbsp][nbsp]Clubs are private propetry and permission from the management would have to be obtained at a minimum.[nbsp][nbsp]I would recommend using some form of waivers to obtain permission also from individuals in a private setting or if the main subject of any photo work even in public.[nbsp][nbsp]Helps cover your butt.

Just my dollars worth of opinion.[nbsp]

[Justin]

Also keep in mind all of the videos seen on TV where faces are blurred - I seriously doubt they do this to be nice - I believe they legally have to have each person's permission to publically display the photos/vidoes - but for personal use you can do what you like...

Audio is definately something you have to have permission for - if I am recording you in secret and you confess to murdering someone, it is not only not submissible in court, but it's illegal for me to have recorded you without permission.

I of course am not a lawyer (if I was, would I be working here???? ;) ) - and I would definately consult with one before publically posting pics - especially those taken in a club. I would be pretty upset if I found pics of me getting drunk at a club on the internet...

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Justin Nelson
FutureQuest Support

[Deb]

Yet.. notice that the video with the faces blured... include audio...

It's totally WRONG imho but I do honestly think.. if they contain no audio it's legal...

Deb
--
[nbsp][nbsp]Considering the MANY web cams set up all over the place on the net that are showing public parks etc...

[Justin]

So I guess soon we'll all have to wear masks on the rare ocasion that we need to go out into the world for smokes and coffee? Sounds like a fun world we live in...

But I think you're right - it usually either includes audio or depicts people doing things they wouldn't want seen on TV - but then who decides?

Too many gray areas I guess - I'd definately consult with a lawyer now after thinking about it, just to be safe anyway.

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Justin Nelson
FutureQuest Support