Permission to Post on the Internet

I was wondering about the folk who take lots of photos if they ask the permission of people they photograph before they are posted on the internet?

I know there are laws in the UK, but I wondered if it extended to other parts of the world.

For instance, mums and dads can't photograph their own kids at school concerts, sports matches and plays etc, these days as it is disallowed by schools.

It's come to something, but having said that, if someone took a covert photo of me without my knowledge and it was posted on the internet, I would be more than displeased.

What do others think?

Re: Permission to Post on the Internet

As far as I'm aware there are NO laws stopping you snapping other people. It's true that individual establishments eg theatres, schools etc. may forbid it but that's not the same as having laws forbidding it. If there were such laws there wouldn't be all the photos of people in the newspapers.

Re: Permission to Post on the Internet

This question always comes to mind when watching reality TV Police programmes. The arrest of potential criminals is filmed, against the protagonists wishes, for the entertainment of others, me included, somehow it does not seem right.

Re: Permission to Post on the Internet

I think you are right Alan, you can photo anyone and post their picture as long as it is not indecent or defamatory..

Re: Permission to Post on the Internet

I'm not sure about this one ...

I can vaguely remember years ago someone in France sueing a company who had used them in a piccie outside a cafe or something.
Didn't it used to be a simple cut case of whoever owned the camera ... or the film in said camera ... owned the copyright?

Everything has to get so convoluted though thesedays.
I suppose it makes you start to wonder then about all these google images too .. peoples houses and sneaky peeks into their front windows.

Re: Permission to Post on the Internet

If people are close enough to the camera to have recognisable features, I wouldn't post the photo. I'm sure it's not illegal to do so but think it right to ask permission first. If that permission can't be gained because the person/people are part of a crowd scene or similar, then I wouldn't put the photo on the Internet.

Re: Permission to Post on the Internet

Even if there is no law against it, wherever possible, I think it is only "good manners" to ask permission before posting a photograph of someone on the internet. If it is an embarrassing photograph or something that makes someone look silly, is unflattering or compromising - even more so.