California passes anti-paparazzi law

California U.S. Senator Arnold Schwarzenegger has passed a law that allows legal action against annoying photographers and videographers (paparazzi).

This law will be enforceable starting in early 2010. Under the new law, taking photos and videos of celebrities without their permission and consent is a crime and can lead to legal prosecution. If the person who was exploited files a complaint, the offender can be fined up to $50,000.

This law also targets the media outlets that buy these photos and videos and make them available to the public. Therefore, taking photos and videos of celebrities is only allowed at public events.

Yellow magazines, TV shows, and internet sites pay millions of dollars every year to buy photos and videos that paparazzi take illegally of celebrities.

Source: eMJey / CNN / usatoday