New York City: Public Photography May Require Permit and $1 Million Insurance Policy

June 30th, 2007

HAHA! Would you like a Statue of Liberty (Made in China) with that?

Via: New York Times:

Some tourists, amateur photographers, even would-be filmmakers hoping to make it big on YouTube could soon be forced to obtain a city permit and $1 million in liability insurance before taking pictures or filming on city property, including sidewalks.

New rules being considered by the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting would require any group of two or more people who want to use a camera in a single public location for more than a half hour to get a city permit and insurance.

The same requirements would apply to any group of five or more people who plan to use a tripod in a public location for more than 10 minutes, including the time it takes to set up the equipment.

Julianne Cho, assistant commissioner of the film office, said the rules were not intended to apply to families on vacation or amateur filmmakers or photographers.

Nevertheless, the New York Civil Liberties Union says the proposed rules, as strictly interpreted, could have that effect. The group also warns that the rules set the stage for selective and perhaps discriminatory enforcement by police.

“These rules will apply to a huge range of casual photography and filming, including tourists taking snapshots and people making short videos for YouTube,” said Christopher Dunn, the group’s associate legal director.

Mr. Dunn suggested that the city deliberately kept the language vague, and that as a result police would have broad discretion in enforcing the rules. In a letter sent to the film office this week, Mr. Dunn said the proposed rules would potentially apply to tourists in places like Times Square, Rockefeller Center or ground zero, “where people routinely congregate for more than half an hour and photograph or film.”

The rule could also apply to people waiting in line to enter the Empire State Building or other tourist attractions.

The rules define a “single site” as any area within 100 feet of where filming begins. Under the rules, the two or more people would not actually have to be filming, but could simply be holding an ordinary camera and talking to each other.

3 Responses to “New York City: Public Photography May Require Permit and $1 Million Insurance Policy”

  1. Former says:

    “Julianne Cho, assistant commissioner of the film office, said the rules were not intended to apply to families on vacation or amateur filmmakers or photographers.”

    Uh… then who *are* they supposed to apply to?

  2. DrFix says:

    Former, I’m sure, buried deep within some reg there is arcane wording used to justify this on the basis of “security” and that nothing can be revealed as that would constitute a disclosure of operating procedures which are likewise covered. Just like why they won’t point out the laws that forbid you to do such and such…. just BECAUSE!

    Welcome to the new fascism, same as the old.

  3. Robert Burt says:

    The end of liberty as we knew it. All the simpleton government officials responded to hatred of our freedoms by shutting down our freedoms. If that was their goal, the Arabs have won.

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