Definition of Public Space

On Mon, 30 Oct 2006 09:03:23 -0000, "M.I.5¾"
wrote:


"Alex Heney" wrote in message
.. .
On Sun, 29 Oct 2006 18:17:51 -0000, "Leroy"
wrote:

I apologise if this has been asked before, but just out of interest, what
it
the definition of a public place/space?

It depends on the purpose/activity.

There is no single overriding definition.


I am thinking that streets, roads, public parks are defined as public
space,
however a shopping centre/superstore isn't because it's privately owned.
Am
I correct in saying this?

Although, what about a pub (public house), even though it maybe privately
owned, it is a public place and is open to the general public, hence the
name.


What is the activity you are interested in?

Just a shot in the dark, but since this was cross posted from
rec.photo.digital, I would say photography was a fair bet.


Could be :-)
--
Alex Heney, Global Villager
Committees keep minutes and lose hours.
To reply by email, my address is alexATheneyDOTplusDOTcom

"Floyd L. Davidson" wrote in message
...

The public has access to private businesses, but that is emphatically
*not* a "public" area.

It pretty much has to be owned by the "public" as well as open to
the public. Hence, government owned.

--
Floyd L. Davidson http://www.apaflo.com/floyd_davidson
Ukpeagvik (Barrow, Alaska)

es;
Which jurisdiction are you talking about?
UK (England, Scotland, N.Ireland) or US?

In message , Floyd L. Davidson
writes
"Just Another Digital Fan" wrote:
Leroy wrote:

I am thinking that streets, roads, public parks are defined as public space,
however a shopping centre/superstore isn't because it's privately owned. Am
I correct in saying this?

No! Any area that the public has access to is public space. That
includes Tescos etc.

The public has access to private businesses, but that is emphatically
*not* a "public" area.

It pretty much has to be owned by the "public" as well as open to
the public. Hence, government owned.

Once, I had an annoying loudspeaker shut down in a public place, even
though the place was privately owned.

Mike
--
M.J.Powell

M.I.5¾ wrote:
Here you go

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_place


Not acceptable as an authoratative source on anything.

And USENET newsgroups are?

--
As a child my family's menu consisted of two choices: "Take it, or leave
it."


/\ /\ /\ /
/ \/ \ u e e n / \/ a w a z

anl

Cheers Bill, that makes sense.


"Bill" wrote in message
.. .
"Leroy" wrote in message
...
I apologise if this has been asked before, but just out of interest, what
it the definition of a public place/space?

It depends on the laws of your country. But for the purpose of
photography, any place where you have no expectancy of privacy, is
generally considered to be a public place and you are generally within
your rights and freedom to take photographs of the people and places.

Expectancy of privacy means you can not expect to maintain a sense of
private conditions. You can and will be viewed by other members of the
public.

As an example, if you're sitting in a restaurant having dinner, you can
not expect the people beside you to not hear or listen in to your
conversations, or observe what you're eating for dinner, or notice with
whom you are sharing your table.

In your own home, you do have an expectancy of privacy. Anyone who impedes
or otherwise invades that privacy is probably breaking privacy laws.

I am thinking that streets, roads, public parks are defined as public
space, however a shopping centre/superstore isn't because it's privately
owned. Am I correct in saying this?

A shopping centre is generally considerd a public place because you have
no expectancy of privacy. But the property can be privately owned and you
can be subject to the owners wishes. If you want to take casual photos of
people in a mall, that's usually not an issue.

But if someone complains to the management who are representatives of the
owner, they can tell you to stop or tell you to leave the premises. You do
not have the right to dispute when on private property.

Note however if someone does approach you in a mall, tactful explanation
of what you're doing will usually be accepted and you may be able to
continue. So if security asks what you're doing, and you tell the guard to
"get lost", you can expect to be told to leave or even forceably removed.
But if you tell security that you're taking photos for a business report,
activity center of a local paper with credentials, or of your daughter
running around in a Halloween costume in the mall, chances are good you
will be allowed to continue.

Don't be stupid and you'll usually be free to shoot as much as you want.

Although, what about a pub (public house), even though it maybe privately
owned, it is a public place and is open to the general public, hence the
name.

Same as any other place that is privately owned.

But once again, how you go about it will greatly affect how successful you
are at getting the photos you want.

"Mueen Nawaz" wrote in message
...
M.I.5¾ wrote:
Here you go

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_place


Not acceptable as an authoratative source on anything.

And USENET newsgroups are?


Nobody has made that claim.