NikonGear'23

Images => Life, the Universe & Everything Else => Topic started by: Sash on June 25, 2015, 17:27:21

Title: What is this??
Post by: Sash on June 25, 2015, 17:27:21
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Signpost/2015-06-17/In_focus&mobileaction=toggle_view_desktop
Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: afx on June 25, 2015, 17:36:47
It is a nightmare coming up.....

But I suggest modifying the thread title to something like
Photographic freedom threatened in the EU

cheers
afx
Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: Sash on June 25, 2015, 17:55:16
It is a nightmare coming up.....

But I suggest modifying the thread title to something like
Photographic freedom threatened in the EU

cheers
afx

Honestly, I could not believe  it's for real. I was trying to find somewhere in the corner something like "Boo, got ya", but it does look like a real Wiki page.
Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: afx on June 25, 2015, 17:57:57
It is real.
It has shown up in various German news.

cheers
afx
Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: Anthony on June 25, 2015, 18:21:36
It is real.

If enacted it will enable the owner of copyright in a small building to block commercial publication of a scene consisting mostly of other buildings.  And commercial photographers will have to track down the copyright status of all the buildings in the viewfinder.  Commercial photography of modern cities (most of the buildings will be in the protected period) will become unviable.

What is the justification for the EU to impose such restrictions on freedom of expression on all member states?
Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: Gary on June 25, 2015, 18:26:39
This is what happens when governments embrace capitalism.
Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: Anthony on June 25, 2015, 19:00:23
Gary, I think it is more that the people in some EU countries have strong views on protectionism, often for the benefit of small businesses or small farmers. 

The riots in Calais and Paris this week are related to this mindset.
Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: Jørgen Ramskov on June 26, 2015, 11:32:04
This is nothing less than crazy. Bye bye Google Street View and such as well. It seems there are no danish politicians on the "Legal Affairs Committee", so no obvious candidate to write to for me. However, if they end up implementing it, it will likely be changed when they see the results of this crazy suggestion.
Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: Anthony on June 26, 2015, 12:40:14
Jørgen, the matter has moved beyond the Legal Affairs Committee to the full European Parliament, so it could help to write to one or more MEPs.
Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: Jørgen Ramskov on June 26, 2015, 13:06:22
You are right, will have to look into that.
Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: afx on June 26, 2015, 14:15:26
And here is a petition:
https://www.change.org/p/european-parliament-save-the-freedom-of-photography

cheers
afx
Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on June 26, 2015, 14:29:01
While I agree the current topic is of high interest to photographers, it also borders on violating our policy against off-topic discussions. So do keep *ANY* political barbs well away from entering the line of argumentation, please.  I have noticed a few already and will not see any more of these. EU is a fact of life like it or not. Thus political systems as such are not under discussion here at NG. Not that they should be exempt from debate of course but conduct the business of discussion elsewhere.



Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: Bruno Schroder on June 26, 2015, 14:47:07
Making it illegal to use pictures taken in the urban open space is equivalent to allow freedom of speech only inside our homes.
Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on June 26, 2015, 14:54:17
There is just so much a photography forum can do about such issues. Raising the general awareness of the public is important. Speculating on the possible ramifications is probably futile until such a law is passed and the legal consequences known. It serves no useful purpose here on NG at present.

Meanwhile, contribute in local or national media to mark your indignation. 
Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: Jørgen Ramskov on June 26, 2015, 14:56:41
OK, will try to be more careful going forward.
Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on June 26, 2015, 15:06:42
The point is not that your opinions should be restricted, as NG invites open-minded discussions as a general rule. However once we touch or cross boundaries of political, ethical or similar contentious issues, we are well and truly outside the domain of photography. Thus NG is not the vehicle to promote your arguments whatever value they might convey. Discussions of the ethics of photographers' behaviour would be more acceptable if one can constrain the debate to what aspects have a direct bearing on photography as such.

I know this is a difficult terrain to navigate, but I fear we lose a lot of the communality if off-topic posts are allowed. They cannot help us in our photographic endeavours. People are entirely free to vent their frustration or opinions within more suitable venues.
Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: Jørgen Ramskov on June 26, 2015, 15:47:47
I like the policy, but I'm just not used to it. I need to remind myself of the policy before posting :)
Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: Bruno Schroder on June 26, 2015, 16:08:32
 You're right. Got it and point taken.
Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on June 26, 2015, 16:08:54
The Team will stand by you  ;D
Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: Gary on June 26, 2015, 17:15:47
I like the policy, but I'm just not used to it. I need to remind myself of the policy before posting :)

I am in the same boat as Jørgen Ramskov. I too need to remind myself that this forum is simply for photography. In this case, purity is a positive.
Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on June 26, 2015, 17:23:04
We are far from being puritans, Gary. There are absolutely NO "family values" or "work safe rules" in operation here.

However, experiences from a number of sites tell us that once you allow off-topic discussions on contentious themes, they can easily come out of control and cause a lot of damage to the web community at large. Nobody benefits from using a photography forum as the foundation for political, religious, or ethical campaigns. There are media better suited to those purposes. Use these instead.

In fact, Common sense and some empathy will solve nearly all issues and allow you to safely navigate and post on NG.