I don't think it's a well-known thing, but their other properties, like the George Washington Bridge show "no photographs" signs. I make sure to take a cell-phone photo every time I ride my bike up there.
The consensus I get from doing some research is that they are overreaching. Anyone can make any policy they want. Anyone can approach anyone else in public and ask them to do whatever they want. Whether or not there is any force of law behind those policies or questions is up to the courts to decide.
A few years ago, someone was going to sue the MTA for their photography policy. Apparently there is a law on the books regarding suing public-benefit corporations (of which the MTA and Port Authority are); if they agree to settle with you, and you choose not to accept the settlement, you are personally liable for their legal fees if the court awards you a settlement that's less than their legal fees. So of course, these policies can't be changed, as an individual can't out-resource the government.
I don't know if it's true or not. I'm not a lawyer. I'm not a professional photographer. I'm just a guy who tries to visit the park with a few pieces of film every now and again.
> I don't think it's a well-known thing, but their other properties, like the George Washington Bridge show "no photographs" signs. I make sure to take a cell-phone photo every time I ride my bike up there.
Nice!
Whenever I've seen one of those signs I feel like there should a sibling sign next to that reads, "No reading this sign!".
>Apparently there is a law on the books regarding suing public-benefit corporations...
Am pretty sure there is no rule precisely like that. There might be such a rule, but it applies generally, not just when suing PBCs.
Port Authority photography rules only apply when you are on Port Authority property. That's why they can have those stupid "no photographs" signs in the tunnels and on the bridges.
The PATH employees / police did yell at tourists taking pictures of the PATH trains or tunnels a while back ago (esp right around 2002) and treated them like some public threats or so. But right now they seem care less about those growing numbers of tourists.
They prohibit photographs on their transit system: http://www.panynj.gov/path/pdf/PATH-Rules-Regulations-12-20-...
The consensus I get from doing some research is that they are overreaching. Anyone can make any policy they want. Anyone can approach anyone else in public and ask them to do whatever they want. Whether or not there is any force of law behind those policies or questions is up to the courts to decide.
A few years ago, someone was going to sue the MTA for their photography policy. Apparently there is a law on the books regarding suing public-benefit corporations (of which the MTA and Port Authority are); if they agree to settle with you, and you choose not to accept the settlement, you are personally liable for their legal fees if the court awards you a settlement that's less than their legal fees. So of course, these policies can't be changed, as an individual can't out-resource the government.
I don't know if it's true or not. I'm not a lawyer. I'm not a professional photographer. I'm just a guy who tries to visit the park with a few pieces of film every now and again.