A question about legality

The_Gatsby

I work in an off licence and yesterday I made a timelapse of my morning in work. However I didn't ask my employer or inform customers. It didn't really occur to me until a friend questioned my right to shoot the timelapse. I have uploaded it to YouTube for safe keeping but it's set to private so the general public cannot see it.

My question is am I within my right to shoot this timelapse? I think probably not since I don't have my employers permission and it's on his property but I thought I'd check anyway because I'd like to post it in the challenge thread!

Thanks

EDIT: Sorry mods, I meant to post this in the photography forum, not photo challenge.

JamJamJamJam

I don't know if it's illegal or not, but if the individuals in the video can't be identified, and the premises looks respectable enough, it's probably pretttty harmless (and unlikely to be seen!)? So it might be *technically* illegal, but so are, like, jaywalking or cycling on a footpath. I mean, your employer would have to be a real mean individual to do anything about it (if they even somehow found out!). So, while I'm not saying that you should break the law, I am saying that I personally will not be alerting any authorities if it's what you decide to do :P You could even offer it to them as promotional material :P

The_Gatsby

JamJamJamJam wrote: »

I don't know if it's illegal or not, but if the individuals in the video can't be identified, and the premises looks respectable enough, it's probably pretttty harmless (and unlikely to be seen!)? So it might be *technically* illegal, but so are, like, jaywalking or cycling on a footpath. I mean, your employer would have to be a real mean individual to do anything about it (if they even somehow found out!). So, while I'm not saying that you should break the law, I am saying that I personally will not be alerting any authorities if it's what you decide to do :P You could even offer it to them as promotional material :P

In the timelapse you can see me smash 3 bottles of €10 wine by accident. Promotional material I think not! Sure I'll throw it up on the challenge thread anyway

Paulw

While it may not be illegal, it may be a breach of contract or an invasion of privacy. You should have requested permission from the employer. The employer may deem your actions to be a breach of your employment, so it may cause you trouble.

Just my view.

Wabbit Ears

yep, Photography/Videography and place of employment without express consent is a big no no.

Keep your hobbies out of your workplace.

magicbastarder

it's not unreasonable to expect that when you enter a retail premises, you will probably be recorded on security cameras for security reasons.
however, if any customers learned that they were being filmed by individual employees for their own entertainment (for want of a better phrase), they may understandably become shy of returning to the same shop.

as a result, your employer would probably frown on such practices.
plus, you are filming on private property without the consent of the owner.

ScumLord

I would think it's definitely illegal. You don't have permission from the people walking in and there may be some that don't want to be filmed buying drink. If word got round you're doing it, it might hurt the reputation of the business and encourage people to avoid going there for fear of being filmed buying drink.

I wouldn't put it online for others to see, at the very least it could end up costing you your job if your boss finds out about it.

spookwoman

Private property you have to ask permission plus if the video is used for public display it could cause serious problems. From Data protection page Recognisable images captured by CCTV systems are personal data". They are therefore subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Acts.

amdgilmore

Yes, it's illegal, but plenty of art has been created through the use of technically illegal means.

Question is whether it is worth it. Is there anything remarkable in it? Is there anything that elevates it beyond "my camera can do timelapses therefore I'm going to try them out in a variety of places"? Because if you're going to put yourself in the position of potentially pissing off your employer and your customers, it really needs to be worthwhile.

If not, do what everybody else does and take your camera to a hilltop and make a timelapse of the trembling blades of grass and rolling hills and rolling clouds and have Sigur Ros playing in the backgr- *snore*