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New laws effecting us Photographers

Yesterday I have had an email sent to me directing my attention to the following web page http://www.photoactive.co.uk/archives/7055.
In here it talks about two potential new laws, the first being led by Lord Mandleson and which, according to this article, is likely to shortly come into effect and in so doing will seriously damages one's ability to claim image copyright infringement.
The second is apparantly being promoted by another goverment body in which, under some Data Protection theme, it will prevent the taking of images of people in a public place.
I have only glanced at the information supporting these two assertions but if true gives great cause for concern. However not hearing of anyone else shouting about issues or other articles in the media, I am inclined to put it all down to it being so much hog-wash. Am I right to do so??
In here it talks about two potential new laws, the first being led by Lord Mandleson and which, according to this article, is likely to shortly come into effect and in so doing will seriously damages one's ability to claim image copyright infringement.
The second is apparantly being promoted by another goverment body in which, under some Data Protection theme, it will prevent the taking of images of people in a public place.
I have only glanced at the information supporting these two assertions but if true gives great cause for concern. However not hearing of anyone else shouting about issues or other articles in the media, I am inclined to put it all down to it being so much hog-wash. Am I right to do so??

This link works
I take it that it is something to do with the 'orphan works' jobbie that is floating around on t'internet at the moment.
It does need looking into.
I take it that it is something to do with the 'orphan works' jobbie that is floating around on t'internet at the moment.
It does need looking into.

There may just be a note of optimism: we can rely on the general misunderstanding of the law by the great British Public and tourists alike; many of the public and tourists are NOT professional photographers; they won't be able to tell the difference between a professional, amateur or compact camera; many photographers of whatever ilk will be advised by the public not to point their cameras at them; hopefully many tourists then will be dissuaded from visiting the UK ..... and the goverment may amend the law ....maybe .... perhaps.... my view is more in hope than expectation.
Or we can junk our DSLRs in favour of the rising stars in compact cameras e.g. the Panasonic Lumix; the Olympus EP-1 or one of the new to be launched Sony products.
Personally if Zanu Labour win another 5 years I may consider emigration as I am personally and totally against this totalitarianism style of government.
Or we can junk our DSLRs in favour of the rising stars in compact cameras e.g. the Panasonic Lumix; the Olympus EP-1 or one of the new to be launched Sony products.
Personally if Zanu Labour win another 5 years I may consider emigration as I am personally and totally against this totalitarianism style of government.

Quote:
The second is apparantly being promoted by another goverment body in which, under some Data Protection theme, it will prevent the taking of images of people in a public place.
However not hearing of anyone else shouting about issues or other articles in the media,
I think that preventing photographers taking images of people in a public place, would be wholly impossible to enforce......our jails would be full of camera toting Japanese and American tourists!
Don't expect any articles about this in what is rather a toothless media these days, interested only in the world of celebrity.

Quote:I think that preventing photographers taking images of people in a public place, would be wholly impossible to enforce......our jails would be full of camera toting Japanese and American tourists!
I think it will only affect Cannon and Nikon users, the rest of us mere mortals will be fine lol!

Quote:
I think that preventing photographers taking images of people in a public place, would be wholly impossible to enforce......our jails would be full of camera toting Japanese and American tourists!
They don't want the tourists kept in their place, just us.
Our liberties are being eroded inch by inch so people don't notice. To some degree we are already living in a police state.
They can watch us as much as they want, but we can't photograph police or soon, anyone in a public place. The new legislation may give everyone an assumed right of privacy from the camera toting perverts out there, but the gov can go on videoing you everywhere you go. Then we're all knackered!
As for the copyright issue, this will allow Rupert Murdoch to use any "orphaned" images he wants. Problem is, the Gov hasn't stated what an orphaned image is, what constitutes an attempt to find the copyright owner and how much is the fee that Murdoch will have to put in the kitty?? Also, when the copyright owner does come forward he is entitled to an as yet undisclosed % of an undisclosed fee!
Getting in Murdoch's good books in a run up to a general election can't hurt anyone can it? Except us!