FAA says monetized videos shot from drones are subject to commercial regulations

Re:FAA says monetized videos shot from drones are subject to... by matthewmcg on Thursday March 12, 2015 @04:11PM (#9193503)

The legal question is whether "the aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational use."

To me, this suggests:

(1) the statute looks to the purpose of the flight when the flight occurred--later developments don't matter

(2) actions of third-parties not involved in the operation of the drone also don't matter

Remember, the FAA has the authority to regulate drone flight for commercial purposes. They don't have the authority to regulate Youtube, other people's filming, etc.

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Re:FAA says monetized videos shot from drones are subject to... by Crito on Thursday March 12, 2015 @06:38PM (#9194447)

I wonder if I could have a small business where I sell my services for some small hourly fee to teach other RC enthusiasts how to fly RC planes. During this training I'd probably be using the RC planes myself, and it would be for a commercial purpose...

I see a few RC instructor business on google that has a commercial pilot as the instructor, I wonder if that is required.

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Re:FAA says monetized videos shot from drones are subject to... by matthewmcg on Thursday March 19, 2015 @10:42AM (#9232239)

Interesting question. The AMA (model airplane hobby organization) has invited members of the model airplane community to submit comments to the FAA seeking clarification on precisely that issue.

See: http://amablog.modelaircraft.org/amagov/2015/03/18/ama-respo...

If you are interested, you should submit one.

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Re:FAA says monetized videos shot from drones are subject to... by kenrikm on Thursday March 12, 2015 @04:38PM (#9193719)

What if I fly and record footage and then sell the SD card for $500.. I was selling the SS card not the footage. What an interesting court case this is going to turn into, I'm not sure how many hairs need to be split before someone reasonable will come along and call BS on the FAAs position.

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Re:FAA says monetized videos shot from drones are subject to... by tracker1 on Thursday March 12, 2015 @05:34PM (#9194083)

You still own copyright on the footage, and it can't be used without your permission.

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Re:FAA says monetized videos shot from drones are subject to... by TheLoneWolfling on Thursday March 12, 2015 @05:38PM (#9194102)

If you mark the footage as public domain?

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Re:FAA says monetized videos shot from drones are subject to... by Crito on Friday March 13, 2015 @01:54PM (#9198595)

It would only work if the courts think it should work. Contrary to popular belief legal 'hacks' can work, but there is no guarantee.

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