# If you use a quadrocopter to explore a place, is it trespassing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 24, 2014, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-use-a-quadrocopter-to-explore-a-place-is-it-trespassing/696379 "2014-08-24T16:01:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-use-a-quadrocopter-to-explore-a-place-is-it-trespassing/696379/21 "2014-08-25T02:13:24Z")
From Georgia law: > [@](#): > > § 16-11-62. Eavesdropping, surveillance, or intercepting communication which invades privacy of another; divulging private message > > It shall be unlawful for:… > > (2) Any person, through the use of any device, without the consent of all persons observed, to observe, photograph, or record the activities of another which occur in any private place and out of public view… > [@](#): > > § 16-11-60. Definitions > > As used within this part, the term: > > (1) “Device” means an instrument or apparatus used for overhearing, recording, intercepting, or transmitting sounds or for observing, photographing, videotaping, recording, or transmitting visual images and which involves in its operation electricity, electronics, or infrared, laser, or similar beams. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “device” shall specifically include any camera, photographic equipment, video equipment, or other similar equipment or any electronic, mechanical, or other apparatus which can be used to intercept a wire, oral, or electronic communication… > > (3) “Private place” means a place where one is entitled reasonably to expect to be safe from casual or hostile intrusion or surveillance. The penalty for a violation is a felony conviction, punishable by “imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years or a fine not to exceed $10,000.00, or both”. IANAL, but it looks to me that if you’re flying your camera-equipped drone (“an instrument or apparatus used for overhearing, recording, intercepting, or transmitting sounds or for observing, photographing, videotaping, recording, or transmitting visual images and which involves in its operation electricity, electronics…”) over someone’s backyard in Georgia, and they have gone to the trouble of putting up a hedge or privacy fence around it (“a place where one is entitled reasonably to expect to be safe from casual or hostile intrusion or surveillance”), you could be faced with fairly serious charges. I don’t know how that would apply to abandoned amusement parks or factories. (For one thing, if they’re _abandoned_ then there aren’t really any other people to observe the activities of.) ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-use-a-quadrocopter-to-explore-a-place-is-it-trespassing/696379/22 "2014-08-25T02:29:56Z")
Let’s keep in mind in abandoned amusement parks and factories, the no trespassing rules are there to prevent people stealing stuff and being injured and suing the owners. I don’t see how flying a camera equipped drone could steal anything or contribute to someone injuring himself on abandoned property. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-use-a-quadrocopter-to-explore-a-place-is-it-trespassing/696379/23 "2014-08-25T16:32:15Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > I don’t see how flying a camera equipped drone could steal anything or contribute to someone injuring himself on abandoned property. What about recovery of crash/emergency landed equipment and the fire danger posed by Li-ion batteries? ---
**Author:** ![dstarfire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dstarfire/32/5762_2.png) [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-use-a-quadrocopter-to-explore-a-place-is-it-trespassing/696379/24 "2014-08-25T19:49:47Z")
A key issue is how you define “airspace”. Does it include the interior if a building? What about the area adjacent to a building but below the level of its roof or highest point? What area of the property below the top of the fence? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-use-a-quadrocopter-to-explore-a-place-is-it-trespassing/696379.md?page=1)