Schwarzenegger Signs New Anti-Paparazzi Law In California

by amyellensoden | October 14, 2009 at 09:17 am

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A new anti-paparazzi law has been passed in the State of California by Arnold Schwarzenegger. The new law allows civil law suits against paparazzi and media outlets who have illegally taken invasive celebrity photographs.

Illegal photos and recordings by paparazzi have been fined up until now under the decade old law against illegal photography of celebrities. The law has now been amended to include fines against media outlets who have improperly obtained the material.

“The organizations that publish celebrity photos have always been shielded from liability if the paparazzo broke any laws in the act of getting the photo,” said Sean Burke, founder of The Paparazzi Reform Initiative. Mr. Burke is a former body guard who says he saw the abuses and danger of paparazzi photography up close and formed the organization to “restore order to our streets” for celebrities and normal people alike. (Go to the site here to watch this disturbing footage of supermodel Kate Moss and her children being swarmed by paparazzi at Los Angeles International Airport.

Although the battle against invasive photography will continue for some time, this is certainly a step in the right direction. It is now a crime for paparazzi to take and distribute celebrity photos that are of a familial or personal nature. Violators of the new law will face up to $50,000