All: Thought I might bring this up for discussion (the issue having recently made national news), as some may not be fully aware of their rights while shooting video in or on public lands and places. The ramifications of this story are chilling, but not insurmountable if one knows their rights.
On March 5th of this year Anthony Graber drove his motorcycle recklessly, until being pulled over by a Maryland State plainclothes policeman. Graber wore a GoPro HD helmet-cam, recording his antics prior and after the police stop. He was on a public highway, in clear daylight and the camcorder was in plain sight (GoPros are rather bulky and VERY obvious, if you've never seen one). After the incident Graber posted his vid on YouTube, including scenes of his stop by the policemen. This apparently rubbed law enforcement the wrong way, who on April 7th showed up at Graber's door with a search and arrest warrant for "wiretapping" under Maryland State law (resulting from Anthony's video post on YT). Maryland wiretap law mandates two-party consent for electronic recording. Police seized all Graber's computers, cameras and electronics as purportedly containing or constituting evidence. ...Problem is Graber broke no wiretap laws! If you'd like to discuss WHY Graber broke no wiretap laws, post accordingly. Otherwise, lacking that interest, one gets what they get should the wrongfully cite of "wiretapping" ever come up, after shooting footage in public. ;) Mark Villaseñor, http://www.TailTrex.tv Canine Adventures For Charity - sm http://www.SOAR508.org
