Interesting new policy, no more taking photos of construction at DL

[Darkbeer]

The two CM's were a regular CM in the Autopia queue area, and at Innoventions, somebody came out one of the "side" doors in the spinning section, and he was the one who asked me to erase the photo (I had already taken plenty, so erasing one was no big deal)... he asked if I took pictures of the construction, I didn't lie, and told him yes, he asked me to erase it, and as a gesture of goodwill, I decided to do it... I know I could have told him to "lump it", but there was no reason to, he stuck around and watched me erase the photo (which was just of some torn up pavement, nothing big....).

There was no security CM's in either incident.....

[Nemo88]

hey Darkbeer,maybe they thought you worked for Universal

[TP2000]

Darkbeer was the one who was confronted. No one has ever approached me about it.

Ah, sorry. I read the first post and then skimmed the thread and somehow thought it was you who was relating this story.

Since these were just average, hourly Tomorrowland CM's and not Security gaurds or managers, maybe they were just a bit bored and got too excited about someone taking pictures of the cement mixer parked in front of the Hatmosphere?

[beaverfan4ever]

I would just say screw them. If you're being a paparazzi and climbing over walls or making a grand gesture to go out of your way to get a picture, I would understand. But if you were standing around taking pictures, I don't think they have a right to tell you to delete or give them your film. Check your legal rights, I think you were well within them.

[Gaston]

We have taken plenty of construction photos, cause we're nosy.
I took video during the day of painters touching up BTRR from the train in WDW. The CM at the CM entrance on the tracks was even waving at me,while she let a painter into the backstage. But this is an area you are supposed to see,when on the train.

[Instidude]

I'm just wondering with the current state of privacy laws, etc., if there is concern among Disney and the CM's that their picture could end up unapproved on the internet. With what can be done with digital pictures, or a picture of someone picking their nose, or something else, these pictures could end up embarrassing and being modified into something else.

Most legitimate web sites will try to hide/obscure the faces of those that are clearly sisble in the shot. Disney Parks tell you on the ticket that your likeness can be used by them, but it does not mention anything about your picture ending up on some web site.

Privacy laws are becoming a growing area of concerns, so they may be protecting CMs contractors, etc., rather than the actual work itself.

[moviereviewer]

Maybe Marcie's next article can be about taking pictures of dirt at Disneyland.

[refurbmike]

Disney is a public area and therefore you can take pictures from anywhere you're allowed to be. Basically, if I can see a lot of dirt from Innoventions without breaking any rules, I can take pictures of said dirt. There is no "presumption of privacy" in a theme park - the walls are not there to prohibit photography (sometimes they use translucent barriers), there are there to keep guests out of those areas.

The only protection which Disney would have in this case would be trademarked imagery. Disney owns the rights to most images in a given photograph taken on the property. So while I may own the picture of my wife standing in front of the Castle, Disney owns the rights to the image of the Castle. I know that is weird, but it prohibits me from selling that picture (I don't own all the rights to the picture). I believe there is a line, though, on the rights - I can sell it if I own more than 50% of the image - I know, really getting weird.

Now, here's where they can tell you to do whatever they want: They can kick you out of the Park and revoke your AP. I'm not sure of the legality of the issue, but I'm sure it is a possibilty.

On a personal note, since my web-site depends on my taking pictures of construction, I'm going to stand-up a little more than DB did and see what their reasoning is.

[hippie1kenobi]

Disney is a public area

No, it's not. They don't even have to allow you to bring a camera in if they so choose.

Granted, since they allow cameras inside, it makes it harder to enforce what you can and can't take pictures of, but Disney most certainly has the right to eject a guest fromt he park for any reason. That includes taking pictures of construction or other backstage areas.

[refurbmike]

hippie: I'm sorry, I meant that it is a public venue.

And as long as they allow recording for one guest, they must allow recording for another in a similar situation. They cannot start discriminating based on what you're taking a picture of, after they have already given you permission upon entrance (there are no rules about photography, except inside shows and some attractions). They even encourage photography in some places!