Burning Man Organization (BMO) to reconsider image rights policy

The Burning Man Organization (BMO) is calling for community feedback on its camera policy, including its approach to image rights. The section reads as follows:

“Use of Images”
I UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT THAT NO USE OF IMAGES, FILM, OR VIDEO OBTAINED AT THE EVENT MAY BE MADE WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM BURNING MAN, OTHER THAN PERSONAL USE. I understand that I have no rights to make any non-personal use of any image, film, or video footage obtained at the event, and that I cannot sell, transfer, or give the footage or completed film or video to any other party, except for personal use, and I agree to inform anyone to whom I give any footage, film, or video that it can only be used for personal use.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation, concerned that participants can’t license their photos via Creative Commons or dedicate them to the public domain, has repeatedly criticized the restrictions.

Last year, BMO defended the policy as necessary, “to protect our participants so that images that violate their privacy are not displayed, and to prevent companies from using Burning Man to sell products.”

The organization is holding a meeting on April 28, 2010 to discuss the matter. Comments can be made via email (cameratales@burningman.com) prior to April 23, 2010.

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