Photographer Rights And Un-Written Rules

[Ronnoco]

Ronnoco, please stop. You're splitting hairs now. First, just because an ordinance might conflict with civil rights doesn't mean that it isn't still on the books - in order for a court to overturn it, it has to be challenged first. That means lawyers and money for a minor fine..

Well, having watched local ordinances at work in my own municipality, here is what happens. A complaint is made. No response from authorities. It is made again. The local ordinance enforcement officer in 2 or 3 weeks may check out details and issue a warning. If the activity continues and the ordinance officer actually sees it, and there is a further complaint, a second warning may be issued a month or more down the road. It seldom gets past this stage because the ordinance officer is overworked and the person making the complaint gets tired from the constant repetition and phone calls necessary to get any action. Of course, the cost to prosecute a minor ordinance violation is another reason why it seldom happens in my area and I suspect many others.

Two, the question that Janet asked has nothing to do with the situations you're posting. She was:
A) Referring to photographer who are NOT photojournalist
B) Taking pictures at an athletic event
C) Run by a high school
D) Who was interested in the selling these pictures...

The laws relating to photojournalism and taking photos generally refer to all photography. The difference is that other photographers may be subject to personal releases for identifiable people in shots used for advertising purposes.

And yes what I posted has everything to do with Janet's question. If she took photos at a high school athletic event, then she owns the copyright to the photos. If she is selling the photos to the person in the shot, then she is not violating any laws. If she is selling them to some journalistic/sports publication then she is probably covered under photojournalism rights.

In shooting athletics, you need the following -
1) Permission to photograph the event from non-spectator areas. At professional level events, spectators may not be allowed to bring in "professional-looking" cameras.
2) Written Permission from the host, school, organizing body, or league in order to sell those images to end-users other than journalists and certain licensed companies.

I asked you this before and you failed to answer. What STATE or FEDERAL law, requires you to get written permission from the host, school, organizing body, in order to sell the images to end-users?

I don't think there is one, and that is the bottom line.

Ronnoco