Small drone with camera hovering outside my window today.

[Febs]

Yeah, but the law doesn't work the way Febs thinks, otherwise we wouldn't have paparazzi/tabloid magazines - yes, no?

Actually, the law was apparently passed specifically as an anti-paparazzi measure: Link Removed

 

[ChrisB2]

Here is the operative passage, I think:

"...regardless of whether there is a physical
trespass, if this image, sound recording, or other physical
impression could not have been achieved without a trespass unless the
visual or auditory enhancing device was used."

 

[Joe Louvar]

Not sure, I'm not a lawyer, but just reading the way the law is written it seems to me the drone operator is committing "constructive invasion of privacy." Yes/no?

I realize anyone who is visible can be photographed, but...

Can the paparazzi shoot through the window of a private residence that cannot be seen without trespassing? Can they come onto your property and look through a window that you can't look through from outside the property?

Yeah, I don't know either - but paparazzi's do have and use camera lens capable of taking pic's from miles away too, so I "think" that's the same.

EDIT: They also use helicopters and probably drone's now too.

 

[Darth Handsome]

I knew a camera drone in the CIA that had a stutter. Cost him his life, damn it.

 

[ChrisB2]

Yeah, I don’t know either - but paparazzi's do have and use camera lens capable of taking pic’s from miles away too, so I "think" that's the same.

Right, I see your point Joe, but it seems to me that since you normally can't see in OP's windows no matter what kind of lens is used, photography by the drone constitutes invasion of privacy. At least that's the way the law reads to me...

Sure, if the windows are visible from the street and you stand in front of the window, someone could take your picture since you really wouldn't have the expectation of privacy...

 

[Joe Louvar]

Actually, the law was apparently passed specifically as an anti-paparazzi measure: http://www.stroock.com/SiteFiles/Pub893.pdf

Yet the paparazzi's still caught and published ex-governor Schwarzenegger's wife illegally parking, talking/texting on her cell phone while driving, and etc, etc.

 

[Joe Louvar]

Right, I see your point Joe, but it seems to me that since you normally can't see in OP's windows no matter what kind of lens is used, photography by the drone constitutes invasion of privacy. At least that's the way the law reads to me...

Sure, if the windows are visible from the street and you stand in front of the window, someone could take your picture since you really wouldn't have the expectation of privacy...

They use helicopters too and no one seems to be getting arrested or even fined.

 

[Stewie26]

Am I the only one who read the link Febs provided with California (OP's state) law on this issue??



OP said no one can see in his windows without trespassing on his property which would give a reasonable person the expectation of privacy even when the windows are uncovered. Seems to me like this guy is breaking the law, and I consider myself an extremely reasonable person...

Just to be clear to everyone, as I mentioned before, my house is perched on a steep hillside where no one can see in. The drone was maybe a 100 feet away right around the property line. The drone was hovering around 50 feet above ground level and level with my windows. A picture is worth a thousand words so here it is.

 

[Febs]

Yet the paparazzi's still caught and published ex-governor Schwarzenegger's wife illegally parking, talking/texting on her cell phone while driving, and etc, etc.

The statute protects people "engaging in a personal or familial activity under circumstances in which the plaintiff had a reasonable expectation of privacy." One does not have a reasonable expectation of privacy while driving.

 

[squirefan]

Laws and rules are written to be subject to interpretation.
The beneficiary of the interpretaion will be the one with deep pockets and/or clout.

 

[Joe Louvar]

The statute protects people "engaging in a personal or familial activity under circumstances in which the plaintiff had a reasonable expectation of privacy." One does not have a reasonable expectation of privacy while driving.

Thanks Febs. That makes sense - its just I haven't seen/read about paparazzi's getting arrest, fined, etc - and I'm not an attorney so I really don't know.

 

[Jim Campbell]

Just to be clear to everyone, as I mentioned before, my house is perched on a steep hillside where no one can see in. The drone was maybe a 100 feet away right around the property line. The drone was hovering around 50 feet above ground level and level with my windows. A picture is worth a thousand words so here it is.

you could probably get that with a fishing weight and a good casting set up......you probably need the practice anyhow....

 

[Joe Louvar]

Steve: I suggest calling your local PD/sheriff dept. and ask them if its illegal or not where you live.

Also - unless you're famous, with the media, have political push or have a LOT of money - I bet they say its not illegal, because they won't want to waste time/money enforcing it.

But please call them and post an update. Thanks

 

[Downunderwonder]

Just to be clear to everyone, as I mentioned before, my house is perched on a steep hillside where no one can see in. The drone was maybe a 100 feet away right around the property line. The drone was hovering around 50 feet above ground level and level with my windows. A picture is worth a thousand words so here it is.

Is there a similarly disgusted neighbour at the bottom of the hill who would take a loan of your shotgun?

 

[Demon_Hunter]

Order one of your own!!
http://www.amazon.com/DJI-Phantom-Quadcopter-Camera-Photography/dp/B00H29BCD6

 

[SBassman]

This conversation got me Googling to see what low end quadcopters with cameras cost these days.
There's actually a 50/60 dollar quadcopter with camera out there. The videos are pretty impressive.

Amazing.

 

[Inertialsky]

Just to be clear to everyone, as I mentioned before, my house is perched on a steep hillside where no one can see in. The drone was maybe a 100 feet away right around the property line. The drone was hovering around 50 feet above ground level and level with my windows. A picture is worth a thousand words so here it is.

I recognize your house from this photo. I'm sending all the drones there.

 

[NWB]

Bang his wife in the living room while he's hovering outside and filming.

 

[Tennesseemick]

Bang his wife in the living room while he's hovering outside and filming.

2 assumptions in your solution:

1. He has a partner
2. The drones aren't already being deployed to find that person

 

[Inertialsky]

A little eye candy for this thread.

The one on the far right is almost 5 years old. Probably a thousand flights - no crashes. So about 250 flight hours on a hand wired frame.

The middle one has a brushless gimbal which is basically a stedicam. Endless possibilities for filming music videos.

On the left is the discovery frame designed for longer distance with full outboard wireless camera gear for a gopro. The video transmits at 5.8ghz at 500mw which is good for about 1-2 miles of range. So it does not interfere with all the 2.4 ghz transmitters out there.

This is only half of them. Look out!