Legal Question for Photographers

[KLR]

I am trying to find a definite answer, not an "in my opinion" answer, to the question: is it illegal to sell photos that contain license plate numbers in them?

In street photography it is near impossible to avoid getting a least one license plate in your photo, unless you are pursuing motion photography or something similar. If it is indeed illegal, am I suppose to blur the numbers out or just replace them with the license plate color in Photoshop?

Here is the image concerned, there are two clearly visible license plates in it.


City Lights by Kelby Roberson Photography, on Flickr

Thanks in advance

 

[cdness]

While I am not too sure about the legal side, it wouldn't hurt to "mask" the numbers in some way. Unfortunately it takes away from the image a bit and can look odd... Hopefully someone can answer better than me.

I like the image though.

 

[KLR]

While I am not too sure about the legal side, it wouldn't hurt to "mask" the numbers in some way. Unfortunately it takes away from the image a bit and can look odd... Hopefully someone can answer better than me.

I like the image though.

I agree, but that is my concern. The two visible license plates are right up front, and I worry that it will look odd to have 2 square blurs when the photograph is obviously not displaying motion.

Thank you!

 

[BillyC]

It is not illegal. There is no "expectation of privacy" when something is in plain view of the public. Beautiful photography btw kelby.

 

[KLR]

It is not illegal. There is no "expectation of privacy" when something is in plain view of the public. Beautiful photography btw kelby.

That is what I thought, but I did not know if printing and selling the visible license plates was different. Which is why I was hoping that there was some law reinforcing my thought. Thank you.

 

[BillyC]

From what I understand, people blur plates to be courteous. A car-jacker could potentially track down a residence based on license plates.

 

[Reefltx]

You may have problems with the owners of the vehicles. Personally I would just remove the plates from the 3 main car's bumper, easily done in photoshop and you wouldn't lose anything from the image.


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[Norcalreefer]

why not just change one or two numbers on the plates? it would be less photoshoping and would still take care of the concerns about it.

 

[KLR]

Ok and that ^ might be an idea if I can not pull of the blur.

 

[ReefPops]

why not just change one or two numbers on the plates? it would be less photoshoping and would still take care of the concerns about it.

This is what I was thinking. Just alter that plate numbers if possible. Might even be better than the blur since the photo is so crisp. Awesome photo by the way. Legally, I'm not sure what the answer is, but I would think I wouldn't want my plates exposed.

 

[returnofsid]

This is what I was thinking. Just alter that plate numbers if possible. Might even be better than the blur since the photo is so crisp. Awesome photo by the way. Legally, I'm not sure what the answer is, but I would think I wouldn't want my plates exposed.

Then leave your vehicle parked in your garage...lol.

With very few exceptions, if it can be seen, from a public location, it can be photographed. None of the exceptions include privacy issues. Exceptions are a bit murky, when it comes to copyrighted things, such as business logos, signs, etc. (Think a McDonalds in the photo). Other exceptions include certain infrastructure, such as dams and bridges (in some areas), airports, military bases, etc.

If you want an expectation of privacy, if you don't want to be photographed, don't go out in public and keep your blinds closed. After all, if someone can see in your windows, from a public location, it's legal for them to photograph what they see...lol

All of the above pertains to Still Photography. Videography or audio recording falls under completely different rules.