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Concert Photography legal issues
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Hey there I am new to the forum so am unsure if this is the relevant section for this question but here goes!:
I was just wondering what the legal situation was regarding concert photography in Ireland?! I know it says on the back of most concert tickets that no cameras are allowed into the grounds but nearly everybody uses them (at least the small compact ones or the camera phones) and for the most part, at least once your in that is, the staff and security tend to ignore their presence. I was at a rock concert in Marley Park recently and managed to get in with an SLR. When the concert was in full swing I noticed that another guy at the gig had an SLR (couldn’t make out the build) and was a little more relaxed about taking his pictures than I was. He wasn’t very far away from the security barrier on front of the mosh pit and one of the guys in charge of security leaned over and got his attention. Anyway the security guy told him he had one of two choices: “either give me your camera or the battery?”!!!!! I couldn’t believe it as the battery in an SLR camera is not exactly very cheap and besides, I was under the impression that the only thing security can do if you are in breach of the rules at concerts is throw you out of the grounds. The guy handed over his battery and off went the security guy. I was in shock and the guy in question looked pretty upset. So what I am interested in knowing is: Is it legally sound to take somebodys possession (i.e cameras) off somebody at an event like this????I am really interested in your opinions because I have only brought a camera to a few concerts here and in Italy (where they don’t seem to care if you bring in camcorders or anything) and taking pictures of gigs is a big interest for me.
Hi brendain-
Welcome to the site-
I had a little search-
this topic has come up before-
so maybe have a look at this-j
Thanks a lot for that, I had a good read through it and found it very interesting. I never thought about contacting the event sponsors but do you think they would really allow people if they were contacted? sneaking stuff in does become a bit tiring after a while :lol:
breandain wrote:
I never thought about contacting the event sponsors but do you think they would really allow people if they were contacted? sneaking stuff in does become a bit tiring after a while :lol:
Contacting someone before a concert is a good idea; be it the band management, the concert sponsors, organisers. A phone call won’t suffice if it’s a large event, it would likely need to be backed up by something in writing so that you can show security you’re not just hedging your bets. Names work wonders too, but make sure you know who they are and what they’re doing – if it’s a new set up, I’d usually have them in my phone too, just in case it takes them having to fish you out and get you past security. And don’t be smug about it – security are just there doing their job, so thank them. They won’t bother you again and with the right approach will usually let you into some nooks and crannies stage-side.
I would only surrender a battery upon request if they can provide me with a written receipt, stating that [person’s first and last name] took it from me and I will get it back as soon as the concert is finished and before I leave the premises on the same night. Whilst they may reserve themselves the right to confiscate equipment, I doubt very much they’re entitled to confiscate it permanently, especially as the security issue is purely for the duration of the concert.
What you say is interesting. I will definitely get myself organised for the summer concerts in Marley Park next year; I suppose its not really the security people’s fault but it does feel at times that some are cool while others are just plain mean. In the case of the chaos of a crowd in the middle of a concert I don’t really see the practicality (or likelihood) of security guys giving people receipts to claim back confiscated equipment later on. I’m still unsure that they are legally entitled to seize your property; it is a bit of a legal minefield I think….same goes when you are going into concerts: they ask people to open the bags so they can see what is inside it and rarely have I seen them actually opening the bag themselves. Thanks for the ideas about writing to the organisers and so forth, will bear this in mind when the summer hits us in 2008 (if it hits us! :shock: 8) )
Interestingly enough, I was reading a thread earlier on frums.ie regarding a similar issue where people were complaining about the irritance of camera phones at concerts; one user commented that camera phones were the modern day equivalent of lighters being used at concerts…never really got the whole lighter phenomenon at gigs anyway :roll: :?
breandain wrote:
In the case of the chaos of a crowd in the middle of a concert I don’t really see the practicality (or likelihood) of security guys giving people receipts to claim back confiscated equipment later on. I’m still unsure that they are legally entitled to seize your property; it is a bit of a legal minefield I think…
I’d think it’s a minefiled alright, especially if things don’t go accordingly as planned, either for you or for them.
I suppose they can’t demand your kit from you from a legal standpoint, but reserve themselves a code of practice, which can result in them giving you options; such as your handing over x (battery, card, camera in w.c.s.) or ‘the option’ to leave the premises. Takes your pick.
My line of reasoning being that I’d want to stay for a concert I’ve paid to see and have been told to stop taking pics. Personally I’ve no qualms about just packing the camera away (fair play like) but they don’t know me from Adam (my name’s not Adam btw :twisted: ) nor what my motives are and if they wanted me to hand something over I want the guarantee that I’ll get it back in the same condition at the end of the night.
Mobile phones are a nuisance at the best of times. But a 3.2 megapixel camera can have surprising results these days! :D Though I doubt you’d be selling a pic to the media in all probability. The photos thing is at it’s core a protection thing for the band, venue or sponsors, as they don’t like to see others making money off their back, plus they have no idea what kind of images are being taken, what they may be used for and where they may end up. Like most photo issues really.
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