Originally Posted by Blogndog

This whole issue has so many variables that it is essentially impossible to make blanket statements about it. The answer depends on what jurisdiction you're in (not only what statutes might apply, but what circuit court decision(s) might apply), where the recording is taking place (what's legal in an airport concourse may not be legal in an airport bathroom stall), whether it's audio, video or both, who is being filmed (in particular, police or public officials or other), whether it's done openly or surreptitiously, etc. With respect to post above, yes it is generally legal to *film* people in a situation where there is no expectation of privacy, but there are still intellectual property issues involved. Whilst you may have broken no criminal code by recording someone in public, if you use that video for a commercial purpose, and do not obtain the subject's permission to do so with a consent form or model release, then they could pursue you in civil court for usage fees. This is the reason reality TV shows with segments filmed in public have some faces blurred and some not -- if they are not blurred, the producers obtained a signature on a release form from the subject. Similarly, if you were to film a checkpoint and copyrighted music was playing in the background, if you used that footage for commercial purposes, the copyright owner could pursue you in civil court.