Maryland  |  Constitutional Law

Re: Fire Companies Rights to take Photographs

That which is in public belongs to the public. You may photograph the fire sites without fear of the law. You may not photograph minors or others without their written permission if you intend to use the images for commercial purposes. It is not a good idea to photograph people without their permission regardless of the law.

Re: Fire Companies Rights to take Photographs

As long as you are in in public places and on public property you may take pictures.

However, there may be a question of privacy if the area where you take the pictures is not open to general public. There have been cases where a violation of privacy has been found where: (1) victims may have had reasonable expectation of privacy in rescue helicopter; (2) victim was entitled to degree of privacy in conversations with medical rescuers; and (3) recording of communications to rescuers and filming in helicopter ambulance may be highly offensive to reasonable person.

Further, if there are any links to your site that sell products, the unauthorized use of person's name or image to sell goods or services can be tortious appropriation.

You may want to contact an attorney if you have questions concerning specific pictures.