legalities

I made a web site for a summer camp. Are we allowed to put photos of the campers on the web site, or must we get written permission from their parents/guardians first? What are the liabilities involved? Thanks.

"compudoc" <webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com> wrote

I made a web site for a summer camp. Are we allowed to put photos of the
campers on the web site, or must we get written permission from their

parents/guardians first? What are the liabilities involved? Thanks.

Even though I **am** a lawyer, this is not my area of expertise. However, I

took a class on travel journalism once and I understand from that that at
least in print media you need a signed permission slip from any subject
before you may publish his/her photo. Frankly I doubt there's a likely
basis for a lawsuit, at least based on the common law I learned in law
school, unless the photo infringes on one of the privacy torts/rights, but I
guess the publishers themselves are just trying to keep their behinds
covered.

I'd get the permission if I were you, just to be safe. But then, I'm a
lawyer! ;-)

Bonnie

Although US law does differ from English law I believe that there may be
commonalities. The courts here ruled that papers did not need express
permission to print images that were taken in public places and in groups,
so I would think that the following could apply in the US, however I would
think that aside from the legality there is an issue of whether are privacy
rights that are involved.

It seems to me that the simplest way to handle this is to have a clause put
in whatever agreement that the parents sign when a child comes to the camp
that gives you the right to use their images in group activities.

--
Regards

Paul Whitham
Valleybiz Internet Design
www.valleybiz.net

Team Macromedia Volunteer for Ultradev/Dreamweaver MX
www.macromedia.com/support/forums/team_macromedia
"Bonnie In Sacramento" <kroko (AT) aolNOSPAM (DOT) com> wrote

"compudoc" <webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:bf1c4i$dqv$1 (AT) forums (DOT) macromedia.com...
I made a web site for a summer camp. Are we allowed to put photos of
the
campers on the web site, or must we get written permission from their
parents/guardians first? What are the liabilities involved? Thanks.


Even though I **am** a lawyer, this is not my area of expertise. However,
I
took a class on travel journalism once and I understand from that that at
least in print media you need a signed permission slip from any subject
before you may publish his/her photo. Frankly I doubt there's a likely
basis for a lawsuit, at least based on the common law I learned in law
school, unless the photo infringes on one of the privacy torts/rights, but
I
guess the publishers themselves are just trying to keep their behinds
covered.

I'd get the permission if I were you, just to be safe. But then, I'm a
lawyer! ;-)

Bonnie

"compudoc" <webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com> wrote

I made a web site for a summer camp. Are we allowed to put photos of the
campers on the web site, or must we get written permission from their

parents/guardians first? What are the liabilities involved? Thanks.
-------

I was on a forum not that long ago where this question was asked. There was
a definite consensus that permission had to be given for pictures to be
posted on the web - particularly of children. There was mention that even
in US schools - with regards to school sites - permission has to be
obtained for *any* kid photos to appear *anywhere* on the web. Even when
this permission is given, there is to be no indication of who the kid is,
where they live etc - that is: any personal details whatsoever.

I don't doubt that this is true - but even as a courtesy to the parents, I
would obtain their permission regardless of the law.

Nadia

---------------------------
PerreLink Design Templates:
http://www.webdevbiz.com
----------------------------
http://www.perrelink.com.au
----------------------------
:: Ecommerce & Content Management System::
http://www.yourvirtualstore.net/yvsa4.asp
Enter "nadia" into coupon box if buying
and receive a 15% discount !
---------------------------