Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/04/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Dan Cardish wrote: <<<<Its not a new law in Quebec. It is part of the province's Constitution.>>>>>>> Dan, That maybe the case, but the background that probably started all this has nothing to do with infringement of rights at all. The subject provably figured she could get "money if she sued"!!!!!! Whined about it and got a money grubbing lawyer into the act and now where the hell are all the photographers. Even good old Celine Dion whips out her instamatic, takes a picture and lands in jail! :) If the story implied in the picture she was selling her bod and it was belittling and embarrassing for her. Then that becomes a whole new ball game. Forget about what the newspaper can or cannot publish if you are standing in public at a demonstration or eating an ice cream cone....you are out in public and that happens to make you fair game in the face of life. If this ruling sticks, it means that every photographer walking the Province of Quebec with a Leica or any other camera shooting documentary projects is now liable. So how long do you think HCB would have lasted in Quebec back when he was brought in by the National Film Board to do his magic throughout Quebec? Hell under this ruling he'd still be in the slammer serving time. It's a damn ridiculous ruling and a complete infringement on everyones rights with a camera walking the streets of Quebec! Thank God we in Greater Canada have better freedom of movement and laws to take our Leicas and shoot where we feel our emotions and sight lead us. Only in Quebec would they come-up with such a Neanderthal ruling in this day and age of enlightenment and freedom. God help the people if they ever separate. Everyone will have to carry identification papers much like the Nazis forced everyone to do in their time. I realize this is not necessarily a direct LUG topic, however it is! Because it means every photographer can be arrested or charged under the ruling and many LUG members visit this country, well OK Quebec, from our southern neighbors and they should be made aware of what they could run into. ted