Topic: Sorry to bring up this topic again, but ... photo rights

[Late Developer]

I have had police tell me i cannot take photos, i politely tell them to F off and get the correct information

Me too, a few times around (outside) Liverpool Street station in London. They're not quite so pedantic these days.  Maybe they've learned.  One "Police Community Support Officer" (one small step up the evolutionary ladder from traffic warden) was as confused as hell when I said I wouldn't show them the photos I'd taken and couldn't because they were on FILM.  "Can't you just take the film out, then...?"  I walked off at that point.

[SLVR]

The gelatin based cookies were getting a lot of exposure. But they don't have any today, overcooked.

[limr]

There's a tree outside my building at work that I'm slightly obsessed with and sometimes after work, I'll take a few snaps before I leave.

A few days ago, I was taking a few shots to kill a roll in the Minolta. I got back into my car to leave and was about to reverse out of the spot when a truck drives up and stops right behind my car so I can't leave. He gets out and I think I hear him muttering something about pictures. I open my window and he says, "Hey, were you out there taking pictures or something? What are you doing here?" I said, "I work here and just like taking pictures. It's a pretty tree."

He actually seemed really relieved, and apologized as he walked back to his car. "Oh that's all. Okay, no problem."

Private security is a bit touchy, it seems! I also wonder if they've had issues with snoops. There are some wealthy and very influential families in the area.

I'm not really sure why it didn't occur to me to be scared when some big guy in a big truck blocked my car to prevent me from leaving.

[limr]

The gelatin based cookies were getting a lot of exposure. But they don't have any today, overcooked.

We'll have to fix that.

[jharr]

I got kicked out of a parking lot once by building security. He said I was trespassing, but "especially" since I had a camera  . Note I had already taken probably 5 or so shots around the lot (none of the building) with my Nikkormat FTn, so I'm not sure how effective this method of security is. But I got my photos and he had something to do for about 4 seconds, so I guess it was a win-win.

[scapevision]

Eat that NYC. This is to address the window shop..ooting

[jharr]

I don't know about that. Taking photos of young children in their home?? Then selling them??? Talk all you want about the fine line betwixt art and porn, but if there are children involved, I will always err on the side of caution and privacy. If they are out in a public place doing public things, I think you can argue the expectation of privacy, but in their home, even with the curtains open, it is much more questionable. When my kids were little, there were times when they would run around the house mostly or completely naked, say after a bath. I would hate for someone to have felt that they could photograph those scenes from 100yds away and sell the pictures with the full protection of the law. I think there is a reasonable expectation of privacy when we are in our homes, even if we are visible from outside.

[scapevision]

I don't know about that. Taking photos of young children in their home?? Then selling them??? Talk all you want about the fine line betwixt art and porn, but if there are children involved, I will always err on the side of caution and privacy. If they are out in a public place doing public things, I think you can argue the expectation of privacy, but in their home, even with the curtains open, it is much more questionable. When my kids were little, there were times when they would run around the house mostly or completely naked, say after a bath. I would hate for someone to have felt that they could photograph those scenes from 100yds away and sell the pictures with the full protection of the law. I think there is a reasonable expectation of privacy when we are in our homes, even if we are visible from outside.

whatever you want to turn it into, that guy is my hero 

[moominsean]

I don't think he can trademark a name already in use by a national park anyway (or maybe he can...Patagonia?). But US copyright and trademark laws are all full of shit. You can trademark an idea and do nothing with it, and then sue someone else ten years later for actually carrying out a similar idea. There are companies that make money just through copyright and suing.

Regardless, he sounds like a douche. I've had similar situations in Arizona. All that makes me want to do is badmouth the establishment and recommend to everyone to avoid the place.

The only time I've had someone yell at me here in the Midwest was when I was taking a photo of BP oil from the street. I had some ass in a truck tell me it was illegal to take photos of the plant. If it's visible on Google maps, then I highly doubt that. And I was shooting from public property. It's like people are afraid of "bad publicity" but don't realize that being nasty is the worst publicity.

[Adam Doe]

Well, next time i'm in NYC we can do a Snowdonia photo walk which would make it two skinny musicians (not really evening the odds are we?) if you'd like.

[Flippy]

I don't think he can trademark a name already in use by a national park anyway (or maybe he can...Patagonia?).

He trademarked the logo, not the word. Although the logo contains the word. He put the word under a drawing of a mountain - which makes it an original logo.

The only time I've had someone yell at me here in the Midwest was when I was taking a photo of BP oil from the street. I had some ass in a truck tell me it was illegal to take photos of the plant. If it's visible on Google maps, then I highly doubt that. And I was shooting from public property. It's like people are afraid of "bad publicity" but don't realize that being nasty is the worst publicity.

I remember when I was visiting Savannah people were warning me to never take photos of the bridge, and even had apocryphal tales of police escorting photographers away from the area. For "security" reasons. As if.  The only thing anybody would want to do to Savannah that I can think of is get out as soon as possible.

[Indofunk]

And now the moment you've all been waiting for! HERE is the shot that launched 1,000 goons! (or at least 2)



And look!! There's the logo in the background! Tom (the douchenozzle on the left there) was absolutely right and I am absolutely wrong! I am going to walk straight to the local police precinct, evidence in hand, and turn myself in. I expect I'll be sentenced to life in Rikers, so you won't be seeing me on here anymore. I think visiting hours are on Thursdays. Please smuggle in Tri-X and HC110.

[Bryan]

I like the shot.  Make sure they take your mug shot on film.

[limr]

I don't think he can trademark a name already in use by a national park anyway (or maybe he can...Patagonia?). But US copyright and trademark laws are all full of shit. You can trademark an idea and do nothing with it, and then sue someone else ten years later for actually carrying out a similar idea. There are companies that make money just through copyright and suing.

Actually, you can't register a trademark and never use it. It either has to be in use in commerce already, or an Intent to Use form must be filed and the applicant has 18 months to start using it in commerce. If the mark is in use already and the trademark is active, proof of continued use has to be filed between year 5-6, and again before the 10-year expiration date is up if the person wants to extend the trademark.

If the mark is of a different product and in a different state, and isn't involved in interstate commerce, then it's possible that two similar names can both be trademarked.

But you're right about the copyright crooks - there was a case in California about a bunch of lawyers that would go after people who downloaded a single porn video. The intent was to intimidate them into settling the case by paying a few of a few thousand dollars. A judge smacked that down, though, and then went on to be even more awesome by quoting Star Trek in his ruling

http://www.salon.com/2013/05/24/judge_slams_copyright_trollers_with_sanctions_order_star_trek_quotes_partner/

[02Pilot]

Was the porn shot on film?