Visioneer said:The primary lesson I get from the comments is that people generally have no idea what the law is ... but they think they do and will fight (to the death?) as a result. Of course, every jurisdiction has it's own rules but generally ..
If I fly over someone else's property and interfere with their "enjoyment" of their property, I have committed trespass. If I crash my craft onto someone else's property, I have committed trespass and I need their permission to retrieve it. If I retrieve it without their permission I will have committed a 2nd trespass. HOWEVER, the land owner cannot cannot keep my craft or do any (further) damage to it (it's still mine). They can either retrieve it and bring it to me or they can direct me as to how to retrieve it. Naturally (and sadly), obtaining compliance with the actual law may require the involvement of the police or the courts.
Here's a related piece on trespass written by an attorney for the AMA:
This document suggests that if the GoPro owner can find who has the camera, he can recover damages.
In my adult life I have served on several juries in two different (US) states. Though I don't really know of a better system, I fervently hope I never have to be judged by a jury of my "peers".
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