Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

[Sorcerer's Apprentice]

I remember one time I asked to see the phot taken on screamin' at the booth because we were unable to get to the screen in time before it "changed". When the lady brought up the image, I lifted my camera and prepared to snap a photo of it and she quickly (like lightning) covered the screen and said - "oh no, you are not allowed to do that". When I stated that I've taken pictured off the screens before, no one ever said anything. She said "those photo's are Disney's property, taken with Disney's equipment" While I agree, they never got a signed release from me that they could take images of me, and publicly disply them.

What are your thoughts?

[ohmyjustin]

Re: Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

On the back of my old tickets, it says entry allows Disney to use any photos or videos of guests without compensation to me. I don't know if that directly translates into me allowing them to take photos of me, but it is there on the ticket.

As far as saying it's stealing--it kind of is. Disney is offering a product and we're basically getting a knock-off of it by using our cameras or phones. Disneyland Resort doesn't seem to care that much, though, since we don't have the watermark on the photo screens like they do in WDW.

[Chesire]

Re: Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

Some theme parks do. I remember being at Seaworld and their being big white letters sprawled across the picture, making sure if you got the picture, you bought it.

I like the way Legoland does it.

They keep them up high, making it virtually impossible to get a good shot, yet you can still see them and how they would turn out to be if you bought it.

I personally don't see any problem with it.

[Alyssa3467]

Re: Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

It's stealing in the same sense that videotaping a movie is stealing. Don't do it. The images belong to Disney, and you have no right to copy them without a copyright release (usually included with the purchase of a digital download).

[brenden]

Re: Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

One time, years ago when I was at Universal Studios, they had people stationed at the end of Jurassic Park to block you from taking photos. I'm kind of glad Disney doesn't take it too seriously. Obviously, it's kind of brash to go up to the counter, ask them to pull up your photo just so you can take a picture of it. I take pictures of our on-ride photos all the time where everyone else does it.

I wish they'd go the Buzz Lightyear route and let you email them to yourself a low qual version for free. Heck, if it cost $2 I'd prefer that instead of taking a picture of the screen.

[disneylandreport]

Re: Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

People photograph those pictures always. I'm surprised to hear this. I've never had that experience myself over hundreds of opportunties.

[ohmyjustin]

Re: Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

I don't understand why Disney doesn't lower the cost of the digital photo. If I got offered a high quality digital copy of a photo I liked for $1-2, I'd definitely buy it. But for anything more than that, I'd instantly pass. I'd be willing to bet many would do the same and would actually make Disney far more money than what they're making now. I have no idea how much it costs to maintain the cameras, though, so I'm probably way off base...but I rarely see people purchase a good photo.

[Mr Wiggins]

Re: Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

It's stealing in the same sense that videotaping a movie is stealing. Don't do it. The images belong to Disney, and you have no right to copy them without a copyright release (usually included with the purchase of a digital download).

Bingo.

[Stormy]

Re: Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

Funny you should bring this up. I had never heard of doing this & I thought about doing it when we're there in Sept. But I 'gave a little whistle' and my 'inner Jiminy' told me not to do it. :angel:

[Moonliner]

Re: Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

While I agree, they never got a signed release from me that they could take images of me, and publicly disply them.

What are your thoughts?

You have a legal right to photograph whatever you like while in a public space. However, Disneyland is not public space. It's private property. That means that to a certain extent, they get to make the rules.

On the other hand "stealing" is a scary word people who want to sell you things like to use freely. Can you imagine the reaction if Disney tried to arrest and prosecute someone for that? It would be ridiculous.

So it boils down to more of a consumer issue, your price of admission does not include taking photos of their photos, so if you are not comfortable with that don't go to the park.

---------- Post added 08-17-2012 at 02:46 PM ----------

I don't understand why Disney doesn't lower the cost of the digital photo. If I got offered a high quality digital copy of a photo I liked for $1-2, I'd definitely buy it.

I like this idea. A couple of bucks and they send the image to your Email, Facebook, imgur, picasa, or other account. Better yet, sell me a "daily digital photo pass" for say $12-$15 and send all my ride photos from the day.

[skoolpsyk]

Re: Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

It's stealing in the same sense that videotaping a movie is stealing. Don't do it. The images belong to Disney, and you have no right to copy them without a copyright release (usually included with the purchase of a digital download).

Hardly the same. Movie theaters have strict policies against bringing in photographic equipment whereas in Disneyland it is welcomed. Where there are restrictions there are announcements such as "no flash photography". There is no signage suggesting photography is not permitted in that portion of the park. If a cast member tells you to stop, that is different and you can rightly plead ignorance since there is nothing indicating it isn't permitted (and I've never had cast members say anything). I'm not getting what they are selling anyway, which is a higher quality picture and frame, I'm just getting a snapshot of a low res projection as a reminder of our trip, just like all the other pictures I take in Disneyland.

[frollofan]

Re: Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

I don't see how this is a problem. Of course, you probably should have not bothered to approach the CM to take a picture of it at the booth when it went off the screens. If it was still up there, then there should not be an issue. Too many people including myself do it for Disney to really stop us. If I want to take a crappy low quality picture on my phone, who cares. Disney just made a customer happy by allowing him/her to make a memory cheaply. If I really wanted a high quality photo, then I would pay the ridiculus price to get one. There are lightyears worse things that people get away with in the parks (cutting, swearing loudly, etc.), that this should not be problematic.

[Moonliner]

Re: Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

Some of the local amusement parks put a large watermark on the image to discourage this. If it becomes a big issue to Disney I suppose they could look into that option.

[mickdaddy]

Re: Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

Some of the local amusement parks put a large watermark on the image to discourage this. If it becomes a big issue to Disney I suppose they could look into that option.

Universal had the watermarks over there displays when I was there in March as did Seaworld in Orlando this June.

[calsig31]

Re: Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

People photograph those pictures always.

Too many people including myself do it for Disney to really stop us.

It appears that these two posts are saying that, because there is an abundance of people who practice this, it makes it OK. I find that hard to accept. There are tons of people who jaywalk as well. That doesn't make it any more or less illegal.

There are lightyears worse things that people get away with in the parks (cutting, swearing loudly, etc.), that this should not be problematic.

There are worse crimes than jaywalking as well. That doesn't mean that the police shouldn't issue a citation if they see someone doing it.

Hardly the same. Movie theaters have strict policies against bringing in photographic equipment whereas in Disneyland it is welcomed. Where there are restrictions there are announcements such as "no flash photography".

It is actually very similar to the movie example. Disney has policies against stealing an image of a ride photo, or else the worker wouldn't have covered the picture when the guy tried to take a cell phone image of it.

I'm not getting what they are selling anyway, which is a higher quality picture and frame.

People using a cell phone cam to record a low quality version of a movie most likely aren't buying a the better quality DVD or Blue Ray, either.

[BradleyC]

Re: Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

Disney actually installs special screens on there photo TV's sets at the end of the queues that make a photo visible to the eye, but if you take a picture of it it looks extremely blurry. and will come out so distorted your better off buying the real photo. I don't think its a big concern of disney to stop people form taking a blurry photo.

[JerrodDRagon]

Re: Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

I've never felt bad doing this...Don't think I ever will.....I pay for my ticket and these even if you take a Pic of the screen...it's not a good quality like the photo would be and it's not like I'm making a cent by taking the pic and posting it on my face book bringing smiles to my friends.

I'd say a good way to "stop" this is to make a cheap 10 dollars pass that lets you email ALL your photo's from that day to your self....but other wise I really don't feel like I'm stealing

[mousedaddy]

Re: Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

am i wrong but dosent the photo pass include these pics now

[frollofan]

Re: Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

I've never felt bad doing this...Don't think I ever will.....I pay for my ticket and these even if you take a Pic of the screen...it's not a good quality like the photo would be and it's not like I'm making a cent by taking the pic and posting it on my face book bringing smiles to my friends.


I'd say a good way to "stop" this is to make a cheap 10 dollars pass that lets you email ALL your photo's from that day to your self....but other wise I really don't feel like I'm stealing

This all the way.

[4th Gen Disney Fan]

Re: Is photographing the images displayed at ride exits "stealing"?

I've never felt bad doing this...Don't think I ever will.....I pay for my ticket and these even if you take a Pic of the screen...it's not a good quality like the photo would be and it's not like I'm making a cent by taking the pic and posting it on my face book bringing smiles to my friends.

I'd say a good way to "stop" this is to make a cheap 10 dollars pass that lets you email ALL your photo's from that day to your self....but other wise I really don't feel like I'm stealing

No matter how anyone tries to spin it, it's still stealing. Even though you are in the picture, you don't own the image. Disney does. Even if you purchase the photo, you still don't own the right to make copies of it unless you buy the digital download with the limited use license.

Furthermore, posting the photo to Facebook without the license is just as much a violation of copyright laws as recording a movie in the theater.

I don't get the mentality behind "I bought a ticket. That means I can do blah...." It doesn't give you the right to steal the photo. Just like letting someone into your home doesn't give them permission to take all your posessions.

Justify it however you please but it doesn't change the fact that you are taking something that doesn't belong to you.