Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/12/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I am glad we have professional photographers in this list. They give us practical information about the "rights" and behaviors of public places. We also have lawyers, that call out the legalities of the situation and explain to the rest of us what the implications of "rules" are, and maybe how to defend ourselves after breaking one of those "rules". The vast majority of this list is not a professional photographer or a lawyer. We are amateurs trying to have some fun, and , in most probability, not making any public display of the photographs nor making a penny for the rights to use those photographs. We are most likely honest, law abiding citizens that have a practical understanding of laws, ethics, and good behavior. So how the H$%^&&* would any rational person figure out that a mall does not allow the taking of certain types of photographs for fun? Especially when some photographs are allowed, and others are not allowed? Further, that depending on WHO you are, you may be allowed to take those disallowed photographs or not. Yes, I realize that somewhere, maybe publicly, maybe not conveniently, and certainly not stuck all over the place is the "rule" that photographs should not be taken. It is really simple in my mind... if it does not make sense, it is probably not enforceable. If it is not enforceable, it probably will not stand the test of a good lawyer. And that is why I use the term "rule". Breaking "rules" is not against the law. Even when confronted with a "security person". breaking the "rule" is not against the law. It is also probably true that disobeying a "security person" is not against the law. It is our ACTIONS and behaviors when confronted that probably is the reason that a Law could become a legitimate problem. Being asked to not take pictures is probably within the malls rights. It is our obligation to at least stop taking those pictures, until such time as we can legally find out our rights, and notify the management of those rights, and allow them to respond. Acting obnoxious, and especially after the cops have been called, disobeying a direct order from a policeman, gets us in trouble ( for disobeying the policeman, not disobeying the "rules" of a security officer.) Frank Filippone red735i@earthlink.net - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html