Copyright / Photographers Rights

[RaoulIsidro]

The negative side effects of these laws being passed is the lack of proper education of the persons who are tasked to enforce it.
Without proper training to implement these laws, each of these rangers or patrols can become a Judge Dredd or Harry Callahan.
It seems enthusiast photographers are more aware of the laws than those who implement the policies.

[Bear Dale]

Very good point Raoul.

[Kym]

Another press item...

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/soc...017-16p0v.html

The right to record events in public spaces is fast being eroded.

About a year ago, photo enthusiast Sean Farrow was struck by the beauty of Cape Schanck during a visit and wanted a picture of the beach and cliffs in the midday sun. He grabbed his new digital camera and headed down the steps to the sand until he was stopped by a booming voice from above.

It wasn't the voice of God, but someone whose power was equally closed to question. A uniformed ranger from Parks Victoria informed him: ''I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave, that's not permitted here.''
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According to Parks Victoria, commercial photography or filming in Victorian national parks is banned unless the photographer has paid for a permit. Such distinctions were apparently lost on the ranger because at that stage Farrow was hardly a commercial photographer. The camera he was carrying was relatively cheap, good enough for a competent amateur. It was, however, sufficient for the ranger to sense a transgression, so Farrow put away his equipment and left.

At the end of August, a group of photographers calling themselves Arts Freedom Australia held a rally in Sydney to protest at what they feel are increasing erosions of the right to record whatever is happening in a public place - a right that is supposedly enshrined in law.

There is growing alarm as freedoms to record life and nature are being restricted in a manner unprecedented in the years since 1825, when Frenchman Nicephore Niepce made the first photograph.

Since then, photography has produced an amazing record of human life. It has shown the horrors of war, beauty of nature, triumph of achievement, degradation of poverty, hubris of celebrity, but most importantly it has recorded everyday life. It is this latter category that is often most treasured.

<snip> ... more via the link

The comments are a good read as well.

[reaction]

it is sad, but we are powerless to change it. the self righteous and politically motivated care only for the control and power they gain

[Scotty72]

Of course we can change it.

We demonstrate and use civil disobedience.

[Kym]

Mod note: Threads merged

[Kym]

Of course we can change it.
We demonstrate and use civil disobedience.

But as a teacher your should know "Won't someone think of the Children?"
http://www.joeydevilla.com/wordpress...e_children.jpg



And therein lies the real problem, no-one (Joe Public) really thinking.

[Scotty72]

Also, as a teacher, I know that the expression "Won't someone think of the Children?", whilst a valid concern, is an often abused by those in authority to stamp on people's rights. (which is the point of the cartoon you posted - I guess)

It is like 'terrorism' - it is used to justify the gross abuse of human rights. (again, I suspect you already think this too)

Scotty

[Longshots]

Of course we can change it.

We demonstrate and use civil disobedience.

Or we can unite and use the power of the word to lobby those who need to listen. AFA is already having success by doing this. I'd urge people to support them.

Had it not been for constructive lobbying by representatives (ie volunteers, like myself), the Australian Copyright law would not have been changed/amended.

[farmer_rob]

Or we can unite and use the power of the word to lobby those who need to listen. AFA is already having success by doing this. I'd urge people to support them.

Had it not been for constructive lobbying by representatives (ie volunteers, like myself), the Australian Copyright law would not have been changed/amended.

Had it not been for lobbying by other industry bodies, australian copyright laws would not have some of the egregious clauses regarding anti-circumvention devices and other restrictions on fair dealing introduced 10 years ago.

Lobbying cuts both ways - it is not always volunteers, and you are often working against well connected and well funded groups.

[olympuse620]

Not sure if anyone else has pointed this out but the links that you put in the initial sticky work any longer

[ricktas]

Not sure if anyone else has pointed this out but the links that you put in the initial sticky work any longer

Sorry bout that, looks like the copyright council have started to introduce a fee for access to some of the information:

See this: http://www.shop.copyright.org.au/pro...roductid=16559

Some free stuff can be found on this page: http://www.copyright.org.au/search-r...q=photographer

[Dark Mist]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Luckily I've yet to meet such overbearing misinformed police or security guards. I agree that it's unlikely to be worth the effort to prove you are right, but what does that say about the value of these people's time?