[BUMbaronos]

What's the law in the US regarding showing people on TV if they aren't willing?

[denwerdinoss]

What's the law in the US regarding showing people on TV if they aren't willing?

Well you can't show anyone on TV without their approval so if you don't have their approval I believe the faces need to be blurred.

[SHpuntik]

It depends where the person was filmed. As far as I know I think it is legal without consent if you are in a public place to film a person but it is different if you are on private property.

[BUMbaronos]

Well you can't show anyone on TV without their approval so if you don't have their approval I believe the faces need to be blurred.

Are criminals excluded from this?

EDIT: Lord_P cleared this later part up, thanks.

[SoOW2LeA]

This is something you have to be very careful with.

Read this (this is referencing still phototography, but the same things apply to video, too):

http://www.danheller.com/model-release.html


As you can see, there is a nearly un-ending list of variables, and there's almost always some risk of being sued unless you get a model release.

[grinaJanoDant]

I think documentaries are treated special too and do not require signed consent.

[BUMbaronos]

http://www.danheller.com/model-release.html

*Head explodes*

I guess there's no simple answer.

[SoOW2LeA]

I think documentaries are treated special too and do not require signed consent.

From what I read, editorial purposes (documentaries are probably included) are the only exception to the rule.