The law on filming in hotels

[DanLav]

I work for a production company looking into the possibility of filming porn in hotel rooms across England. Can anyone out there give me any info on any legal problems we may encounter and is it actually legal to film in a hotel room without the owners/managers permission? Could we get arrested? If so does anyone have any suggestions for alternative 'safe' locations?

[Peter]

You could be sued by the hotel owners for something along the lines of defamation, or ruining their business, etc.

More and more publishers are asking for a 'location release' for anything not shot on the producers property.

[one eyed jack]

Hi Dan, as everyone on here would know, I'm a bit of a veteran when it comes to this subject. As far as I know, if you pay to use a room then you can pretty much do in it as you wish as long as it doesnt interfere with the other patrons in the neighbouring rooms.

A couple of hotel managers figured out what I was doing after awhile and offered me the rooms for free if they could come in and have a discrete peek and get an autograph or two.

As long as you don't contravene the body count allowed in a room, within reason otherwise its a health and safety reason and you'll need permission from the hotel management.

[David Johnson]

The number of Travel Inns I see in shoots would suggest that getting sued isnt a likely option. Mind you, the decor gets a bit boring! As OEJ says as long as you are not contravening health and safety and it isnt illegal, it's difficult to see what the problem would be. Lots of people have "business" meetings in hotel rooms so what's the difference?
Cheers
David

[one eyed jack]

Decor!? Whose loooking at decor?! If you want to see decor, get an Ikea catalogue.

Sorry Dave, not having a pop at you but a mere comment on previous posts where some have criticised poor production values being attributable to locations. Who gives a shit where the action takes place, if the girl getting shagged is hot and lovin' it?

Personally I think the more unusual the location and performance is what really counts. Sunshine and swimming pools are nice but what would some of you give to see a girl looking like Carmen Electra getting done over the bathroom sink eh?

It also depends on how you use that location too.

[mart]

That last point about music is an interesting one. The majority of webcam girls with sound have radio or CD music playing. Copyright infringement?

Mart

[Ace]

Unfortunately, the otherwise excellent company Blue Vanities, have an annoying habit of dubbing all their 70s productions with music, not background but any old shit.
I have a Arabian Knights (The debateable Rosemarie England loop) with Tom Jones belting out a 60s tune......very annoying.
I can only think that the mass of 1970's footage from the US, and Europe makes it easier to just dub the lot for a worldwide market, instead of subtitling it all.
Tom Jones would probably like the idea that his songs are in a porn flick, but I bet grumpy wankers like Mick Hucknall would be the first to whine

[chuckstar]

I have been kicked out of a hotel for contraveining the health and safety law on persons per room...well thats what they said it was. They got sussy when a few peole asked the way for a room number, so they banged the door saying the smoke alarm had gone off in the room...Bollox...they got a sniff of something going on. We had just started getting warmed up. They just asked us to leave with no refund. It was a Suite hat was for no more than 6 person..there was 9 of us...so they had a point...but!

As for music...thats a diff cup of tea. Using it for background music is norty as you should get a permissions licence from the writer/publishing agent ie the record label. I never heard of anyone getting slapped for it in porn so! They prob think its funny and good marketing..maybe? As for webacm that would be covered by PRS ( performing rights society) and needs a licence also. Pubs and clubs need this licence to play music on a public premises. Its the same for radio stations as oyou need it to broadcast music .So yes...they could get slapped if it was concidered to be broadcasting licensed music. As its over the internet/phone line, i still think this law covers that. But would they bother...if you persistantly did it ..yes they probably would...but they would have to put their hands up to watching the material...maybe an imbabrrasement they dont want?



Chuck Starr

[Peter]

mart wrote:

> That last point about music is an interesting one. The majority
> of webcam girls with sound have radio or CD music playing.
> Copyright infringement?
>
> Mart
>
>


Yes. Even if you have a radio playing in the backroom of a shop for the staff, if it can be heard out front by the public, you need a PRS licence.