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"StreetPhotographer'sRights(AustraliaOnly)"byDavidPetranker

"StreetPhotographer'sRights(AustraliaOnly)"by
DavidPetranker
StreetPhotographer'sRights(AustraliaOnly)
June11,2009
IhavehadafewpeopleaskmeabouttherightsofphotographersinAustralia,Ihavethese
referencesfromtheArtsLawCentreofAustralia.ThereisalsoaprintoutforeveryAustralian
photographerthattheyshouldcarryaround.Iwillputthelinkonhereaswell.Theoneruleigobyis
torespectthepersonyouaretakingaphotoofandpeopleofauthority.
.
StreetPhotographersRights
.
Takingphotographsinapublicplace
Itisgenerallypossibletotakephotographsinapublicplacewithoutaskingpermission.Thisextends
totakingphotographsofbuildings,sitesandpeople.Thereare,however,somelimitations.
.
Photographingpeople
.
TherearenopublicityorpersonalityrightsinAustralia,andthereisnorighttoprivacythatprotectsa
personsimage.Existingprivacylawsaremoreconcernedwithstorageandmanagementofpersonal
informationandareoflimitedrelevancetothepresentissue.
.
ThereisalsocurrentlynotortofinvasionofprivacyinAustralia,butinABCvLenahGameMeats
(2001)theHighCourtdidnotexcludethepossibilitythatatortofunjustifiedinvasionofprivacymay
beestablishedinthefuture.Basedonthisview,theQueenslandDistrictCourtfoundinGrossev
Purvis(2003)thatatortofinvasionofprivacyhadbeenmadeoutonthefactsandawardedthe
plaintiffdamages.However,thiscaseconcernedalonghistoryofharassmentovermanyyearsand
haslimitedapplication.Asaresult,takingphotographsofpeopleinpublicplacesisgenerally
permitted.
.
Photographingpeopleforacommercialpurpose
.
Ifyouareusingyourshotsforacommercialpurpose,suchasforanadvertisingcampaign,you
shouldobtainamodelreleaseformsignedbythesubjectsyouarephotographingtoensureyou
haveauthorisationtousetheirimagetosellaproduct.SeetheArtsLawinformationsheet
UnauthorisedUseofYourImageforfurtherinformationondefamation,passingoffandtrade
practiceslaw.AsamplephotographersmodelreleaseformisalsoavailableontheArtsLawCentre
ofAustraliawebsite.
.
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Photographingpeopleonprivateproperty
.
Thereisnorestrictionontakingphotographsofpeopleonprivatepropertyfrompublicproperty.
AccordingtoVictoriaParkRacingandRecreationGroundsCoLtdvTaylor(1937)thereisno
freedomfromview,sopeoplewhoarephotographedontheirpropertyfromapubliclocationhaveno
legalclaimagainstyouifwhatiscapturedinthephotographcanbeseenfromthestreet.Thesame
appliestophotographstakenfromprivatelandwhenyouhavepermissiontotakephotographs.You
shouldbecarefulthatyouarenotbeinganuisanceandinterferingwithsomeonesrighttouseand
enjoytheland(seethecaseofBathurstCityCouncilvSaban(1985)).
.
Cantakingphotosbeacriminaloffence?
.
TheSummaryOffencesAct1988(NSW)outlinesanumberofcircumstanceswhereapersons
privacymustberespected.Forexample,itisanoffencepunishablebyafineorimprisonmentto
photographapersontoprovidesexualarousalorgratificationifthepersonisundressedorengaged
inaprivateactincircumstanceswhereareasonablepersonwouldreasonablyexpecttobeafforded
privacy,andheorshehasnotconsentedtobeingfilmed.Aprivateactincludesusingthetoilet,
bathingandengaginginsexualactivitiesnotordinarilydoneinpublic.Similarly,theSurveillance
DevicesAct1999(Vic)andSurveillanceDevicesAct1998(WA)makeitanoffencetophotographa
privateactivitywithouttheconsentofthesubject.
.
TheCrimesAct1900(NSW)alsomakesitanoffencepunishablewithimprisonmenttobeinornear
abuildingwithintenttopeeporpryuponanotherperson.Itisalsoanoffencetostalkapersonwith
theintentiontocausefearofphysicalormentalharm.Inseriouscases,thismayleadtoan
applicationforanapprehendedviolenceorder(AVO).
.
Alsobeawarethatanyphotographyconstruedaschildpornographycanresultincriminalcharges.
Forexample,theCriminalCode1899(Qld)makesitanoffencetotakeanyindecentphotographof
achildundertheageof16withoutlegitimatereason.Youcouldfacesignificantjailtime,especiallyif
thechildisunder12.SimilarprovisionsapplyundertheCriminalCode(NT),CriminalCode1913
(WA),andtheCriminalLawConsolidationAct1935(SA).
.
Photographyoflandmarks,buildings,monuments
.
ThereareprovisionsintheCopyrightAct1968(Cth)thatallowpeopletotakeandpublish
photographsofbuildings,modelsofbuildings,sculpturesandotherworksofartisticcraftsmanship
withoutinfringingcopyright.Seebelowformoredetail.
.
However,photographyisrestrictedinsomeareasbylocalcouncilsorauthorities.Forexample,the
SydneyHarbourForeshoreAuthorityRegulation2006(NSW)prohibitsapersonfromusingacamera
foracommercialpurposeinapublicareawithouttheAuthorityspermission.Thisappliestoany
partoftheforeshoreareathatisvestedinormanagedbytheAuthorityandthepubliccanuse,
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includingDarlingHarbour,CircularQuay,theRocksandLunaPark.Noncompliancecanresultina
fine.Apersonwhocausesannoyanceorinconveniencetootherpersonsinapublicareamustleave
theareawhenrequestedbyarangerorapoliceofficer,whomayremovethepersonwithreasonable
forceiftheyfailtodoso.Providedtherangerhaswarnedyouthatfailuretocomplywiththerequest
isanoffence,youcanfaceafine.Formoredetails,contacttheSydneyForeshoreAuthority
(http://www.shfa.nsw.gov.au).
.
SimilarprovisionsandpenaltiesexistforSydneyOlympicPark,prohibitingtheuseforcommercial
purposesofacameraandcausingannoyanceorinconveniencetootherpersons(SydneyOlympic
ParkRegulation2001).Furthermore,anauthorisedpersonmayconfiscateacamerausedin
contraventionoftheRegulationifheorshehasdirectedyoutostopusingitandyoucontinue
nonetheless,althoughforcecannotbeused.Ifyourcameraisconfiscated,youshouldbeissueda
receiptindicatingthedateandtimewhenitwastaken.Itmustbereturnedtoyouordeliveredtoa
publicpoundwithin24hoursafterconfiscation.Ifdeliveredtoapublicpound,youmustbenotifiedin
writingoftheaddress.Alsokeepinmindthatyoumustabidebytheadmissionconditionsonthe
entrytickettoeventsandsportsgrounds,includingTelstraStadium,SydneyShowground,Sydney
SuperDome,SydneyOlympicParkAquaticCentre.Formoredetails,contacttheSydneyOlympic
Park(http://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au).
.
OtherpenaltiesandprovisionsmayexistforotherareasinotherStatesandTerritories.
.
RestrictionsmayalsobeimposedbyLocalCouncilsonpremisesundertheircontrol,suchas
swimmingpools.Followingpublicconcernandoutrageduetoincidentsinvolvingthephotography
ofunwillingbathersonbeaches,Councilswerepromptedtoprohibitphotographyintheseandsimilar
areas.Forexample,youneedapermittocommerciallyphotographanyoutdoor,publiclyowned
spaceinWaverley,includingbeaches,parks,streetsandcemeteries.Itisthereforeadvisableto
checkwiththeLocalCouncilwhethertherearerestrictionsonphotography,howevermost
restrictionsseemstoapplytocommercialphotography.
.
Governmentproperty
.
Itisillegaltoentercertainpropertybelongingtothegovernmentsuchasrailwayyards,electrical
powerstationsandmilitarybases.Trespassingintheseareasmayleadtoarrestandprosecution.
Forexample,undertheDefence(SpecialUndertakings)Act1952(Cth)itisanoffencetogain
unlawfulentryintoaprohibitedarea(includingflyingoverit),punishablebyimprisonment.The
MinistercandeclareanyareaoflandorwaterprohibitedifitisnecessaryforCommonwealth
defence.Thesameappliesfortakingaphotographoftheareaoranythinginit.Merelypossessinga
camerawhileinaprohibitedareacanalsoresultinimprisonment.FourChristianPacifistactivists
wereprosecutedunderthisActfortrespassingontheUSPineGapmilitarybaseinAustraliaand
takingphotographsinOctober2006.
.
ItisalsoillegaltophotographanydefenceinstallationinAustraliaundertheDefenceAct1903(Cth).
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Yourphotos,cameraandfilmcanbeconfiscatedanddestroyed,andyoucanfacepotentialfinesor
imprisonment.Youcanevenbearrestedwithoutawarrant.Alwaysobeyanywarningsignsdisplayed
atsuchlocationsasyoucanbepenalisedevenifyouhaventtakenanyphotos,buthave
photographyequipmentinyourpossession.
.
Ifyouareindoubtaboutaparticularlocation,alwayscheck.
.
Photographingnumberplates
.
AnumberofphotographershaveaskedArtsLawwhetheritisillegaltophotographcarnumber
platesonthestreet.WhileStateandCommonwealthlegislationpermitspoliceandroadsauthorities
tousevariousAutomaticNumberPlateRecognitionsystems(likeSafeTCam)tomonitorcriminal
activitysuchasspeeding,thelawdoesnotpreventphotographyofcarnumberplates.
.
YouandthePolice
.
Somephotographershavebeenapproachedbythepolicewhileonthestreettakingphotographs.
Thepolicemayaskyoutoidentifyyourself.Generally,youdonothavetocomply,buttherearesome
exceptions:
.
whereyouareinlawfulcustody,orthepolicesuspectonreasonablegroundsthatyoumayassistin
theinvestigationofanindictableoffence(LawEnforcement(PowersandResponsibilities)Act2002
(NSW))or
whereyouareattheSydneyOlympicParkandaresuspectedonreasonablegroundsofanoffence
againsttheSydneyOlympicParkRegulation2001(NSW).Inthiscase,failuretocomplyisanoffence
onlyifyouarefirstwarnedthatsuchfailureisanoffence.
UndertheLawEnforcement(PowersandResponsibilities)Act2002(NSW),thepolicedonothave
powerstostop,searchanddetainyouwithoutawarrantunlesstheysuspectonreasonablegrounds
that:
.
youhaveinyourpossessionorunderyourcontrolanythingstolenorunlawfullyobtained,ortobe
usedinconnectionwiththecommissionofarelevantoffenceor
.
youhaveinyourpossessionorunderyourcontrolinapublicplaceadangerousarticlethatisbeing
orwasusedinconnectionwiththecommissionofarelevantoffence.
Forsimilarprovisionsinotherstates,seePolicePowersandResponsibilitiesAct2000(Qld),Crimes
(CustodyandInvestigations)Act1988(Vic)andPoliceAdministrationAct2006(NT).Donotforget
thespecialpowersthatpoliceandotherauthorisedpersons(suchasrangers)mayhaveincertain
areas,asdiscussedabove.
.
ObstructionandPublicOrderOffences
.
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Settingupatripodonabusystreetandtherebyimpedingtrafficisanexampleofanactionthatmay
amounttopublicobstruction.TheSummaryOffencesAct1988(NSW)providesthatitisanoffenceto
preventinanymannerthefreepassageofaperson,vehicleorvesselinapublicplacewithout
reasonableexcuse.Policehavepowerstoarrestanypersonobstructingapublicthoroughfare,
althoughitismorelikelythatyouwouldbeaskedtomoveon,andonlyarrestedifyoudisobey.Police
havepowerstogiveapersoninapublicplacereasonabledirectionsiftheybelieveonreasonable
groundsthathisorherbehaviourorpresenceisobstructinganotherpersonortraffic,orconstitutes
harassmentorintimidationofanotherperson(LawEnforcement(PowersandResponsibilities)Act
2002(NSW)).Failuretocomplymaybeanoffencepunishablebyafine.
.
Forsimilarprovisionsinotherstates,seeSummaryOffencesAct2005(Qld),SummaryOffencesAct
2007(NT),SummaryOffencesAct1953(SA),SummaryOffencesAct1966(Vic)andCriminalCode
Act1924(Tas).
.
PhotographyandtheArts
.
Sculptures,monumentsandartworkmaybeprotectedbycopyright.Unlessanexceptionapplies,you
needpermissionfromthecopyrightownerofthework.Exceptionstothisgeneralrulearefoundin
theCopyrightAct.Forexample,photographingandpublishingaphotographofasculptureorworkof
artisticcraftsmanshipthatispermanentlysituatedinapublicplace,orinpremisesopentothepublic,
doesnotinfringecopyright(s65).Thisdoesnotapplytootherpublicart,suchasmurals.Ifthepublic
placeisagalleryormuseum,rememberthatyourrightstophotographmaybelimitedbythe
conditionsofadmissiononyourticket.Aspreviouslydiscussed,youcanalsotakepicturesof
buildingswithoutinfringingcopyright.
.
PrivateLand
.
Inordertoaccessaprivatelyownedspaceyouneedpermissionfromthelandowner,andheorshe
hastherighttoimposerestrictionsonphotography.Therefore,youmayonlybeallowedto
photographcertainobjectsorlocations.Thistypeorrestrictioniscommoninmanymuseums,
galleriesandsportinggrounds,andmayoccuronlandownedbyCouncils.Evenwherethe
landownerallowsyoutophotograph,keepinmindthatheorshemaynotbethecopyrightownerin
artisticworksyoumightbephotographing.Inthiscase,youneedthepermissionoftheauthorofthe
artworkaswell.
.
Ifyoudonothavepermissiontobeonprivatelyownedproperty,youwillbeliableintrespass.
Trespassiscommittedwiththeslightestinterferencewiththeland(damagetothelandisnot
relevant).Theownermaytakelegalactionintrespassagainstyoufortakingphotographsafter
gainingunauthorisedentry(LincolnHuntvWillesee(1986))ormaybeabletogetaninjunctionto
stopyouusingwhateverfootageyougatheredwhiletrespassing(ABCvLenahGameMeats(2001)).
Thelandownermayusereasonableforcetoremoveyoufromtheirland.
.
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WildlifeandNationalParks
.
TheEnvironmentProtectionandBiodiversityConservationRegulations2000(Cth)includes
provisionsrestrictingthetakinganduseforcommercialpurposesofphotographsinCommonwealth
Reserves,includingKakaduNationalPark,AustralianNationalBotanicGardens,ChristmasIsland
NationalPark,NorfolkIslandNationalPark,CommonwealthMarineParksandReserves.Totake
photographsforcommercialpurposesinaCommonwealthReserve,youshouldcontactthereserve
forapermit.Conditionsmaybeimposedonthetakingofthephotographs.Ifinbreachofthe
limitations,youmaybefinedandrequiredtosurrenderallcopiesofthephotographsandthecamera
usedtotakethem.ForfurtherinformationcontacttherelevantCommonwealthReserve.
.
Use/publicationofphotographs
.
Nowthatyouhavetakenyourphotographsyouneedtobeawarethattheiruseorpublicationmay
alsobeillegalwhencarriedoutinacertainfashion.Forexample,thesubjectofaphotographmay
seekaninjunctiontostopthepublicationofphotographsthatareindecent,offensiveordemeaning
(LincolnHuntAustraliavWillesee(1986)4NSWLR456).
.
Defamation*
.
Defamationisthelawthatdealswithinjurytosomeonesreputation.Theunauthoriseduse
ofthephotographswouldneedtolowerthepublicsestimationofthepersonportrayed,
exposethepersontohatred,contemptorridicule,orcausehimorhertobeshunnedor
avoided.Theunauthorisedpublicationofthephotographinitselfisnotproofofdefamation.
Sincedefamationdealswithreputation,thelikelihoodofanactionindefamationwillbe
higherthemorefamousthepersonphotographed.
.
Foramoredetaileddiscussion,seetheArtsLawinformationsheetDefamation.
.
*ThelawofpassingoffandtheTradePracticesAct
.
Complicationsariseifyourphotographsareusedforacommercialpurposeandyoudonthave
consentfromthepersonsinthephotograph.Commercialpurposeinvolvesusingthephotographto
sellsomethingotherthanthephotographitself.Soifyouhavetakenaphotoofsomeoneonthe
streetforanadvertisingcampaignanditappearsthatthepersonisendorsingtheproductorservice
(wheninfacttheydonot),youmaybeliable.
.
Foramoredetaileddiscussion,seetheArtsLawinformationsheetUnauthorisedUseofYour
Image.
.
PhotographsrelatingtoCourtproceedings
.
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Photographyincourtsisrestricted.Thelawofcontemptofcourtalsogenerallyprohibitsthe
publishingofanymaterial,writtenorphotographic,thatislikelytoprejudicethecourseofjusticeina
matterwhichisstillbeforethecourts.Forexample,inAttorneyGeneralfortheStateofNSWvX
(2000)theSydneyMorningHeraldpublishedanexposeonorganisedcrime,claimingthatMrDuong
wasthetopheroindistributorandmentionedpendingcriminalchargesagainsthim.TheCourtof
AppealheldthatthearticleamountedtocontemptofcourtbecauseitimpliedMrDuongwasguilty.In
comingtothisdecision,thejudgeswereguidedbythefactthatthearticlewasaccompaniedbytwo
photosofDuong,eachofwhichwereunusuallylarge,incolourandofgoodquality.
.
CopyrightandTrademarks
.
Youmaybeinfringingcopyrightifyouphotographthewholeorasubstantialpartofaliterary,
musical,dramaticorartisticwork,iftheworkisstillprotectedbycopyright.Forfurtherinformationon
copyright,seetheAustralianCopyrightCouncilinformationsheetsatwww.copyright.org.au.
.
Photographersareoftenconcernedabouttakingphotographsoftrademarks,forexampletakinga
shotofastreetscapethatcontainsadvertisingorcompanylogosonthesideofbuildings.A
registeredtrademarkownerhasexclusiverightstousethetrademarkandtoauthoriseuseofthe
trademarkinrelationtogoods/servicesforwhichthetrademarkisregistered.Takingaphotograph
ofatrademarkshouldnotinvolvetrademarkuseandisnottrademarkinfringement.Alsoconsider
thattheremaybecopyrightsubsistinginthetrademarkifitisalogocontaininganartisticwork.
.
Conclusion
.
ForfurtherinformationonanyoftheseissuespleasecontactArtsLawon(02)93562566.
.
*Disclaimer*
.
Thisinformationisintendedasaguideonly.Itdoesnotreplacelegaladviceobtainedfromalegal
practitioner.Theinformationwascorrectatthetimeofwritingbuttheauthortakesnoresponsibility
forchangesinthelawsincethattime.

http://www.artslaw.com.au/LegalInformation/Stre...

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