Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/02/28
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 11:56 PM 3/1/98 -0500, you wrote: >Jim Brick wrote: > ><<<This is NOT true and what was happening was many of the >rangers were shooting stock in the park and marketing it on the side. They >didn't want any competition.>>>>> > >Jim, they really did that? And what happened if and when they were caught? > >Pretty sleazy for someone who is well paid with probably all government >belefits. > >ted > This has been written-up in NANPA, Outdoor Photographer, ASMP, and other journals. I really do not remember the results with the Rangers shooting stock, but it was (and maybe still is) happening. Because of the problem and the complaints, the NPS issued a policy document. I've included it below. Jim __________________________________________ The following is a letter presented to NANPA in February 1996 from Anthony J. Bonanno, former Regional Chief Ranger, Southwest Region, National Park Service. It includes a statement issued by the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior, regarding its policy on commercial still photography in National Park areas. If you have any questions, contact the Chief of the Division of Ranger Activities, Chris Andress, at 202-208-4874. - ------------------------------------------ Policy on Commercial Still Photography in the National Park Service It is the policy of the National Park Service to permit and encourage photography within the National Park System to the fullest extent possible consistent with the protection of resources and the enjoyment of visitors. As a general rule, permits are not required for either commercial or non-commercial photographers. This is true whether or not the photographer uses tripods, flashbulbs, strobe lights, or interchangeable lenses. Permits can be required when the photography involves product or service advertisement or the use of models, sets, or props, or when such photography could result in damage to the resources or significant disruption of normal visitor uses. Permits shall be required for photographers granted access to areas normally closed to the visiting public except that oral approval can be given for such access to a photographer engaged in bona fide news-gathering activities. Photographers should not need a permit to go anywhere that members of the public are generally allowed to go without a permit. Nor should a permit be needed for photographers to do anything that members of the public are generally allowed to do without a permit. If a photography permit is deemed appropriate in any particular situation, NPS personnel should impose only those conditions necessary to accomplish the needed resource protection, visitor use, or legal limitation. For advertising photography, it is appropriate to impose a permit condition that prohibits implied or stated Park Service endorsement of the advertised product or service. Care should be take that conditions be reasonable. Liability insurance requirements and other limitations should not be made unduly burdensome.