Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/04/08

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Subject: [Leica] Taking photos during school play
From: bdcolen at earthlink.net (B. D. Colen)
Date: Fri Apr 8 07:39:29 2005

It's utterly ludicrous - I say, quite seriously, shoot away and let the
heirs of Rodgers and Hammerstein sue. As if they'd care. The only thing
school plays are staged for in the first place is to give parents a
chance to photograph their kids in a situation where the kids are
prevented from making faces or hiding! :-)

-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
Yin Shih
Sent: Friday, April 08, 2005 2:06 AM
To: lug@leica-users.org
Subject: [Leica] Taking photos during school play


I was all set to take discreet photos during my son's high school play,
a production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma.  I had an M7 &
Noctilux loaded w/ Ilford Delta.  No flash.  During the opening
announcements, it was stated "no audio/video recording and no flash
photography".  So I thought I was all set to take available light
photos.

 

After taking one photo, I was asked to stop by the person two down from
my seat who I hadn't noticed before but who I knew was the drama
director. Since it was "her theatre", I complied with her request.
However, the reason that she gave was that the work was "copyrighted"
and ALL recording of any kind was prohibited.  I went to the Rodgers &
Hammerstein website, and they indicate that the copyrighted materials
consist of book, score and other similar materials required to stage the
production.  Their FAQ specifically calls out video recording and
indicates that is a violation of their copyright without permission.

 

http://www.rnhtheatricals.com/index.php?page=faqs

 

The A/V restriction makes sense, since an audio or video recording would
capture the book or the score or both.  However, a still photograph
captures none of what would seem to be R&H's copyrighted material.
Staging, sets, costuming, etc would appear to be the property of the
production house, i.e. the high school.  Hence, I think the drama
director misunderstands the restrictions and discreet photography could
be allowed, so long as it was not disruptive (loud motor drive, flash,
etc).

 

It seems ridiculous not to allow parents to take photos of their kid's
on stage.  Anybody with any experience on this question?

 

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In reply to: Message from ylshih at earthlink.net (Yin Shih) ([Leica] Taking photos during school play)