Photo: youredm.com
Photo: youredm.com

We’ve all seen the warnings: no audio or video recording equipment allowed. The signs are everywhere wherever a performance is taking place. People love to document their concert experiences. But, that desire runs smack into privacy and copyright laws. Who owns a concert performance?

The problem doesn’t come from the fact that someone is recording the concert for his own enjoyment. It’s the reason why we take photos, isn’t it?

The problem does come from the fact that some people are recording concerts and then selling that footage or audio after the fact. That’s illegal because it most definitely tramples copyright laws.

Up to now, it’s been up to police and individuals themselves to follow and enforce the law. What’s changed is that Apple has entered into the fray and taken the proverbial bull by the horns. Their new patent is meant to control how you take pictures and video with your iPhone.

It works like this: the camera will detect a data rich infrared signal. That data will tell the phone to stop recording.

What do you think about Apple forcing users to follow the laws? Have they overstepped their responsibilites?