Topic: NYC photo permits...here we go again.

[Susan B.]

From the latest Camera Arts Newsletter....

NYC May Seek Permit and Insurance for Many Kinds of Public Photography
       
    Tourists, photographers, and amateur filmmakers may become subject to
city permit fees if the Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting in
New York decide in favor of a new regulations for doing any sort of filming
on city sidewalks. Under the ruling, a permit and proof of liability
insurance would be required for two or more people to use a camera in a
single public location for more than ten minutes. The New York Civil
Liberties Union
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=nekweccab.0.8e6bfccab.ug8mnwbab.1648&ts=S0261&p=htt
p%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyclu.org%2F  says the proposed rules, as strictly
interpreted, could cause selective and perhaps discriminatory enforcement by
police. The ruling was designed with professional photographers and
filmmakers in mind, but the obscure language draws no distinctions.
   For more information, and updates on this issue, visit the NYCLU's
website.
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=nekweccab.0.7e6bfccab.ug8mnwbab.1648&ts=S0261&p=htt
p%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyclu.org%2Fnyc_photo_permits_pr_062807.html

[kucharo]

What a crock.

There are far too many idle lawyers in this country.

[astrobeck]

Under the ruling, a permit and proof of liability
insurance would be required for two or more people to use a camera in a
single public location for more than ten minutes.

http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=nekweccab.0.7e6bfccab.ug8mnwbab.1648&ts=S0261&p=htt
p%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyclu.org%2Fnyc_photo_permits_pr_062807.html

Kinda gives a new meaning to "drive by shooting" doesn't it?!

[Thomas Bertilsson]

So how are they going to enforce this? It would be like catching all the speeders out there. Impossible. It's just a bunch of crap.
Mr. Policeman: "I see you're using a camera there. How long have you been here?"
Photographer: "Oh, about 9 minutes, officer. Mind if I click the shutter?"

They would need someone with a stop clock....  Pardon me while I laugh my ass off. This country is getting so pathetic I'm seriously thinking about packing it up and moving somewhere else.

 - Thomas

[Ed Wenn]

The time-limit ruling is wonderful. Honestly!!!

[Francois]

That's because you haven't seen the latest installment that will follow this: the on-camera time activated GPS sensing alarm system  If your camera stays in the same position for 10 minutes, a screeching alarm sound will alert any passing police officers to tell them you are taking pictures illegally  And if after 15 minutes the alarm hasn't been de-activated, an emergency flare will be automatically shot to tell the officers of the law where you are located. These devices will be mandatory on all cameras sold in the U.S. 

Jokes aside... isn't this another way to get more money into the city's vault?

Things are already bad in my province... but this is ridiculous.