Here is a copy of a bubblemail I recieved from Perth Zoo, I am pissed off that as a tax paying local who visits the zoo regularly (more money), I have to ask permission to use the zoo animals in any photos I wish to publicly display. The money raised through calendar sales would be donated to the zoo anyway – what happened to the days where profiteering wasn’t put first. You can’t get anything these days without paying a price.
Dear Amanda
We’ve recently seen the beautiful photos and calendar of Perth Zoo animals on your website and the options available to people to purchase them. Under the Zoological Parks Authority Regulations 2002 a person must not take still or motion pictures for the purpose of public display, broadcast or transmission; or commercial gain without permission.
I respectfully ask that you remove the images of Perth Zoo animals. If you wish to gain permission to use these images, we will need to receive a formal request from you which includes the images and how they will be used. An assessment on the images and their use will then be made which may require you to pay a commercial photography fee.
Kind regards
~ Ademac
Amanda ask for a copy of the Regulations
~ Ademac
I can see no reference to photography……………….maybe a careful read will provide more information.
Amanda McLennan:
Still photography and video containing animals are only to be used in the privacy of your own photo album – I wonder if you can post up on facebook your day at the zoo with your kids? I would hate to be fined for uploading on social sites because you didn’t apply to show them publicly.
Kristina K
this is not real..i have been to the perth zoo, and unless they have a notice to say you cannot take photos, those images are yours….they do not have such a sign saying that you cannot take photos…i would ignore this, this letter has been going around a few peoples sites all over the country..the website was last updated 14th dec2009, it doesnt have the proper links..be very careful do not get involved..do not give any personal details to them…
if you want seek free legal advise..you are an amateur photographer and they are preying on you…get advise if your worrried.
this is only my opinion and you can do what you want with the info..best regards :) k
Amanda McLennan:
There are no notices but it’s all in the fine print – I don’t make a habit of reading policies and documents before entering zoo’s or parks, don’t know many people who do. Funny thing is, I offered all money raised from the sale of the zoo calendar back to the zoo.
SusanAdey
Sorry but I would obey the letter. I went to the website and this is what I found (see below). If you wish to disregard their warning then I would contact a legal person for some advice on your rights.
Perth Zoo welcomes visitors with still cameras and video cameras for the recording of zoo images for personal use only. All visitors using such equipment are required to stay in visitor areas and to be considerate of other Zoo users. UNAUTHORISED COMMERCIAL OR PROMOTIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AT PERTH ZOO IS PROHIBITED (Zoological Parks Authority Act). For further information, contact the Zoo’s Media & Communications section on (08) 9474 0381.
Amanda McLennan:
I looked up the information after ecieving the email – you can’t do much these days without permission. Greed has taken over from common sence.
John Pitman
Amanda
Here is a link to the Regulations should you wish to review them:
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_re...
A bit heavy handed but I think they are entitled to send such a letter.
John
Amanda McLennan:
Too right it’s heavy handed – I am not too sure they’re that entitled though. It won’t be too long before we have to pay a commercial photography fee to take photo’s in the our own country. I could just imagine the City of Fremantle telling everyone they had to apply for a permit and pay a fee to have wedding photo’s taken in the parks or tourist zones or to fine those who have taken and displayed photo’s of local beaches. Who get’s to make the rules? It’s not privately owned, it’s run by the government and paid for by us, the rate payers, tax payers and visitors.