SfN 2013 Approaches: Notice to shutterbugs
September 18, 2013
Actually I’m just posting this because I can never find this policy on the SfN meeting site when I am looking to cite it. And I always remember seeing something like this during the registration process so, here’s the policy.
First, the funny bit. You have to assent to this in order to be registered for the meeting.
Photo and Video Release
By registering for Neuroscience 2013 or its associated events, you hereby understand that you may be photographed, videotaped, or digitally recorded, as may be your voice, and hereby waive any objection, condition, limit, or right you may have to the photographs or recordings.
By registering for Neuroscience 2013 or its associated events, you hereby authorize SfN to use any such photographs, videotapes or other recordings of yourself and your guests for any promotional purposes and to license other relevant people/organizations to use them. You hereby indemnify and hold the Society harmless for any such licensed or unlicensed use.
Don’t image us, we’ll image you. Heh.
Moving on, the actual policy of interest regarding taking photographs of the presentations.
Photography Policy during Scientific Sessions
Photography of scientific presentations, including posters presentations, is prohibited without the specific consent of the presenter(s)/author(s). Individuals who do not comply will be asked to leave the session. In addition, the use of cameras and recording devices (to include cell phones with camera capabilities) are prohibited in the Exhibit Hall. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact the annual meeting Press Room.
Personally I have yet to see someone asked to leave a slide session for taking photos, even when it is as egregious as standing up with a full-frame camera and snapping ever damn slide. So yeah. Of course, what do I know, maybe the presenters gave specific consent.
“prohibited in the Exhibit Hall”. That means the poster sessions. No snapping pictures of your friends or trainees at their very first poster. Nuh-uh. Can’t do it.
DrugMonkey 
September 18, 2013 at 11:13 am
The worst example I saw of this was a fellow with a camera going through the poster hall while the plenary session was on, (so there were no people around) and snapping a pic’ of every… single… poster.
As for the first part, there was a great example at a big meeting I went to in Las Vegas recently: The host (middle aged male PI) during the banquet/speeches and after a few drinkipoos, said something along the lines of “Hey so the meeting is gonna be back in Vegas next year, be sure to join us. Vegas is great isn’t it? There’s showgirls everywhere! It’s fantastic”. I doubt the the society concerned, which had a similar disclaimer, will be itching to use that in their publicity materials any time soon.
Is that the kind of thing you were referring to?
LikeLike
September 18, 2013 at 2:03 pm
I’ve told someone that they weren’t allowed to take a picture of my (and others’) posters without permission. The person was all upset about the fact that he could never remember everything that was said. I pointed out that the rest of us don’t do it. The meeting is supposed to be for presenting unpublished data. “No, I don’t want your massive lab to decide that you can publish what I’ve spent the last year working on myself.”
I just get really frustrated. I’ve never seen anything said about someone taking a picture of their trainee — that’s allowed under the “with permission” rule. I have once allowed someone to photograph a figure I had made that was based on some of that person’s work because they liked it better.
LikeLike
September 18, 2013 at 7:13 pm
In case anyone is unclear, the polite thing to do is simply to drop the author an email afterwards requesting a copy of the presentation. Or leave your card and ask diextly at the time. This gives you a chance to explain why you want it and practice your make-nice skills.
LikeLike
September 19, 2013 at 6:42 am
I guess the shutterbugs like to take it while they can. Who knows whether a person will say yes now, but never get back to you after the conference. Either way, I agree that people should ask the presenter before clicking that picture.
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 3:04 pm
Best are those people who in scientific sessions (talks) take picture of the slides, don’t switch of the flash nor the shutter noise. Interestingly mostly asians i noticed (maybe a cultural thing). A friend of mine who shared a session where a guy continued to make pictures inspite of the big sign not to do so once interrupted the speaker and asked that the offender would put his camera in his back or they would not continue the session until he did so.
LikeLike