Selling landscape drone images? Does the size of the drone matter in terms of the law?

[EspressoJunkie]

Im a bit out of the loop when it comes to drones so forgive me if this is a daft question.

AFAIK with a larger drone anything that could be seen to be making money requires certification

Are there different rules governing what can and can’t be sold from smaller drones (Mavic minis etc) that don’t require registration?

Could someone print and sell landscape images in the same way they would if they were taken with a normal camera?

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

Have you tried this site: https://drone-laws.com/drone-laws-in-uk/

 

[jondc]

Hi, as I understand it there is no longer a clause for having a specific certificate for commercial work. For commercial use, you now have to either fly in one of the open categories, which is drone weight specific or have an operation authorisation if you want to use a specific drone that is above the weight classification for the area you want to use it in. In either case, you will need commercial insurance regardless of the weight of the drone.

 

[EspressoJunkie]

Hi, there is no longer a clause for having a specific certificate for commercial work. For commercial use, you now have to either fly in one of the open categories, which is drone weight specific or have an operation authorisation if you want to use a specific drone that is above the weight classification for the area you want to use it in. In either case, you will need commercial insurance regardless of the weight of the drone.

But say I wanted to sell images that I’d taken as a part of a hobby. Would that still require insurance?

 

[jondc]

But say I wanted to sell images that I’d taken as a part of a hobby. Would that still require insurance?

It is my understanding that; If at the time of the flight, there was no intent to sell the images and all images taken were for personal use (even if sold later) then insurance is not required. However, hobby flying with the intent to take and sell images is considered commercial use.

 

[jondc]

Are there different rules governing what can and can’t be sold from smaller drones (Mavic minis etc) that don’t require registration?

Also bear in mind that, in my opinion, the DJI minis are not classed as a toy due to their camera and capabilities, so do need the Operators ID on them. You do not need a flyers ID but personally, I think it should be taken as ANO 241 still applies. Below, highlighted with the green boxes, is how I interpret my use of a Mini2 in the Open Category, A1 sub-category.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

Technically you would need the CAA permit, and that itself would require commercial insurance. In practical terms, it is hard to say but my feeling is you only really get into the big mess either if you make a big mess flying it causing damage or injury, or your photo insurance company finds out (because why not survey their client websites) and decides to charge you a lot more. So it is about same as driving without insurance.

You may as well claim you were in a hot air balloon or helicopter tour. Not crashing obviously still applies.

 

[jondc]

Technically you would need the CAA permit, and that itself would require commercial insurance. In practical terms, it is hard to say but my feeling is you only really get into the big mess either if you make a big mess flying it causing damage or injury, or your photo insurance company finds out (because why not survey their client websites) and decides to charge you a lot more. So it is about same as driving without insurance.

You may as well claim you were in a hot air balloon or helicopter tour. Not crashing obviously still applies.

Are you thinking about a PfCO and in your response are you taking into account the UK's change on drone rules brought in on 31 December 2020. The PfCO was the previously required CAA certification to fly commercially in the UK and was the qualification and permission issued by the CAA until the end of 2020. This has now been replaced with the GVC. However a QVC is not required to fly a sub 250g drone close to uninvolved people, see CAP 2012 above, and thus the only CAA requirement for commercial use of a drone in that category, and future C1 drones, is that commercial insurance is in place that meets certain legislation. If you want to fly a non-C1 drone (C2/C3 drone) or a drone over 250g close to people, you will need a QVC permission, which will have your specific permissions based on your risk and mitigation detailed, and commercial insurance for commercial work.

Note: Currently there are no C1, C2, or C3 drones available and the legacy period is very likely to be extended.

 

[LeeRatters]

Just commercial insurance if you are flying with the intention to sell (but I guess that's still a slightly grey area) or actually being paid to capture photo or images.