Photographers' rights
This part of our site is NOT giving legal advice, but will provide links to other websites that seem to give helpful information. It is not intended to be comprehensive, but just an ad hoc selection as we spot them. We do not vouch for the accuracy of information and advice given on these other sites, but will only include ones which we think have some credibility.
Clearly if you have an important issue regarding your rights, there is no substitute for specific legal advice from a professional.
The PAGB newsletter of December 2015 referred to the Metropolitan Police website has a page of advice about photography, which gives a useful summary. Amongst other things it confirmed that members of the public do not need a permit to photograph in public places and police only have power to stop them in certain circumstances. Officers do not have the power to delete digital images or destroy film at any point during a search should one be carried out. Check out the page for more detail.
Digital Camera World magazine's website had a summary of the situation at April 2012. It gives some useful information/guidelines; even though a few years old, as it still on their site the legals are probably still appropriate.
Reference and lobbying
UK Photographers Rights This site has a useful pdf format downloadable guide to photographers' rights (now in Version 2). But do read the caveats on the site about its being a guide, not a definitive manual.
Pro Imaging Targeted at professional photographers, but has a useful section (in About Us) relevant to all photographers on intellectual property & copyright.
The Artists' Bill of Rights Campaign has information about ethical standards and intellectual property rights for artists in general. It is particularly relevant for photographers entering commercial photo competitions. It promotes an artists' 'Bill of Rights' and the site has lists of current competitions that have passed (Rights On) or failed (Rightsd Off) those guidelines.
© is for Copyright - a layman's guide to copyright for photographers, by Sal Shuel, former Administrator of the British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies.
I'm a Photographer, Not a Terrorist! is another campaign to defend photography.
Street Photographers Rights in Australia - rights of photographers in Australia.
US: The Photographer's Right A similar role to the UK rights site above which may be useful if travelling to the US.
