Is it really illegal to snap a picture of a clerk in a Post Office?

On 8/6/2018 8:07 PM, Savageduck wrote:
On Aug 6, 2018, PeterN wrote
(in article ):

On 8/6/2018 4:45 PM, Savageduck wrote:
On Aug 6, 2018, PeterN wrote
(in article ):

On 8/6/2018 12:52 AM, Savageduck wrote:
On Aug 5, 2018, wrote
(in ):

On Friday, March 29, 2013 at 9:14:30 PM UTC-5, Danny D. wrote:
Is it illegal to snap a photograph of a clerk inside a post office?

Excessive Nymshifter content snipped

May I ask:
Legally, in California, in a Post Office, when nobody objects,
is it against the law to snap a photograph or otherwise record
the transaction?

Yes! There is a little know FEDERAL Law from the late 1800's that
prohibits
it and is a felony to photograph a postal facility. I'm a professional
photographer for 17 years.

That is nice, but you don’t seem to have a comprehensive knowledge of
Federal Law. I hope your professional photography is better than your
legal
prowess.

You might also have noticed that you are responding to a post from 2013,
for
which answers have been provided.

Very few people know this and you can get into
some very deep legal trouble if you are actually charged/

Your actual knowledge on this subject seems to be quite thin, especially
as
to what might constitute a felony. Who knows what that odd legal term
“very deep legal trouble� might actually be.

https://about.usps.com/postal-bullet...ml/info_005.ht
ml

Pertinent quote:
"Here are a few examples of requests that must be directed to the Office
of Rights and Permissions:

A request to use the images of historic murals for commercial purposes.
(Commercial uses may include reproductions of the murals in books or on
posters, fine art prints, greeting cards, stationery, postcards,
clothing, or other merchandising items such as magnets, coffee mugs, or
other materials for resale.)
A request that requires the set up of equipment aside from the camera
itself (e.g., a tripod, ladder, lighting, or scaffolding).
A request to use a high-resolution, professional-grade camera."

I read your citations as being ambiguous.

What was ambiguous regarding obtaining permission for location type shoots
at
a USPS facility?

I was not going to search through the Federal Code, as the USPS regulations
regarding photography were much more accessible.

There are similar permit requirements, rules, and ordinances established by
most municipalities, and the State Park, or National Park Services. Try to
engage in a professional location shoot almost anywhere in Manhattan, San
Francisco, State regional Park, or any NP, and see how fast you will be
confronted by a local authority.


While casual images may be taken, unless they show images of personal,
if the image is taken by a high resolution camera, (whatever that
means,) or for use in making a fine art print, (whatever that means,)
you need special permission.....

If someone with proper authority asks you to stop and you don't, at the
very minimum it could cost you a lot of time, and legal fees.

At the very minimum you would have an educational discussion with the local
postmaster or his/her deputy. I would believe that one’s acceptance of the
local authority’s educational briefing would negate any further escalation
leading to legal fees. That would take an attitude, and acceptance failure
on
the part of the individual potential rule violator. I have no doubt that
there are individuals who would try to argue their point of view, and find
themselves explaining their argument in a Court.

The real ambiguity is the vague declaration of a potential 30 day jail
sentence for any violation of any of the posted rules, or regulations, which
as you well know means that there is no threat of a felony, just a
misdemeanor.

I am not talking about felonies, unless things escalate. i am talking
about ambiguity in the regulation.



...and you should find this notice posted in the foyer of every USPS
facility.

https://about.usps.com/posters/pos7.pdf
Well and clearly written: /End sarcastic tag

"Photographs for News, Advertising, or Commercial Purposes
Photographs for news purposes may be taken in" entrances, lobbies,
foyers, corridors, or auditoriums when used for public meetings except
where prohibited by official signs or Security Force personnel or other
authorized personnel or a federal court order or rule. Other photographs
may be taken only with the permission of the local Postmaster or
installation head."
But, I need permission to take a selfie with an iPhone.

The only “selfie� I have shot with my iPhone was the required photo for
the *Mobile Passport* app.

That's more selfies than I have ever taken, with the exception of a
growth to send to my dermatologist.

If you are going to do any international flying *Mobile Passport* is a must
have app. So far I have only used it twice, and I have plans for another trip
in the New Year.

https://mobilepassport.us

The other thing any photographer doing any flying in the USA should have is
TSA Pre, which will give you a KTN, or *Known Traveller Number*. That makes
check-ins a breeze.

https://www.tsa.gov/precheck


Yep


--
PeterN