Anxiety said:

BRAVO!!!

That's absolutely right. In a public place, a public figure such as Prince has absolutely no legally enforceable right to not be photographed. Especially by a fan who just wants a souvenir.

Prince, throughout his career, has encouraged the kind of idol worship that drives these SUPPORTERS OF HIS to take his photo in the first place. Now, he cries "invasion of privacy" and retaliates by having his goons traumatize the fans by grabbing and destroying their cameras.

Then his adoring fams prattle on about how much Prince has changed into this all-love kinda, mellow man. Prince hasn't changed. He needs to get over himself. "But people should know Prince doesn't like his picture taken. He's said it a million times ... blah blah blah..." He's a star! Get a grip! He's lucky some little mama's boy twirp even knows who he is.

And, if Trevor tried to grab my little broken-down, nearly busted 35mm with its cracked flash screen and lens door that doesn't open all the way up, we'd probably land in court, too.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

What a fucking wuss...
How fucking hard is it for such a fuck to just ask for a photograph?
I hope that dumbass loses, serves him right for annoying people with a fucking camera...

Neversin.

its even reached BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/h...611667.stm
Singer Prince sued after 'attack'


Pop singer Prince is being sued by a student who alleges he was attacked by one of the artist's bodyguards after he took a photo of him at an airport.
Anthony Fitzgerald, 19, of Minneapolis, has filed a lawsuit alleging assault and battery and loss of his camera.

He alleges that the bodyguard - named only as Trevor - "lunged at him in an aggressive, threatening manner".

A Prince spokeswoman said she was not familiar with the case, which has been filed at a Minneapolis court.

Mr Fitzgerald's lawsuit, filed at Hennepin County District Court on Wednesday, alleges the incident took place on 29 December 2003 as Prince was getting off a flight at Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport.

'Emotional distress'

He says the bodyguard grabbed his digital camera, leaving him "stunned and humiliated".

He alleges "intentional infliction of emotional distress" that left him anxious and unable to sleep.

Details of the lawsuit were confirmed to BBC News Online by Steve Bittick, a senior clerk at the Hennepin court.

Mr Bittick said the case would now be scheduled to go before a judge. In the meantime, both parties would be asked to see if they could reach a resolution outside court.

Prince, 45, born Prince Rogers Nelson in Minneapolis, still lives in the city, which is home to his multi-million dollar Paisley Park studio complex.

Uh oh...looks like some of that money that P is making on these concerts
is gonna fly, fly away...
Just because he doesn't like his picture taken, doesn't mean he can send
his goons to assault and steal a camera...the "emotional distress" charge
is laughable however.
Lovemachine is right (even though he's a hater ).
I'm one to defend Prince's rights around here (mostly because he usually
doesn't do much wrong), but, some folks will defend him TO NO ENDS.
Pay up this time Prince, you were WRONG.

psychodelicide said:

There is NOTHING illegal about taking somebody's picture in a public place. However. It is illegal to steal somebody's camera by means of assault, or any means. Taking pictures is leagl. Stealing camera's isn't. I think he should get more than the value of his camera to let people know that U can't steal people camera's like that. If Prince has to end up paying this kid a couple grand, he will probably think twice in the future about stealing someone's camera.

it's sad that people get so far up P's ass to realize when he or his people are wrong.

if it were anyone else in the world you people wouldn't be defending him.

this place is so sad sometimes.

The man didn't break any law. Was it inconsiderate or rude? Maybe. But it does not warrant theft of his camera. I am stunned that anyone would side with the bodyguard in this matter.

Should the guy win damages for emotional distress? No, that's just silly. But they should have to replace his camera. And technically it was battery.

This incident couldn't have come at a more unfortunate time. With Prince riding high on a wave of good will he does not need the bad publicity.

Tom said:

I second this. It's rediculous.

freakebear said:

not really--i betcha this'll go through the court faster than a chocolate cake goin through someone with a serious case of the pukes, man.

2 for Flinching

OdysseyMiles said:

Wrong, sir, wrong! Under Section Thirty-Seven B of
the contract signed by him it states quite clearly that all
offers shall become null and void if--and you can read it
for yourself in this photostatic copy: "I, the undersigned,
shall forfeit all rights, privileges, and licenses herein
and herein contained, et cetera, et cetera . . . fax mentis
incendium gloria culpum [the torch of the mind lights the
path to glory], et cetera, et cetera . . . memo bis
punitor delicatum! [I remember the spoiled punisher twice]
It's all there, black and white, clear as crystal! You stole
Fizzy Lifting Drinks. You bumped into the ceiling which now
has to be washed and sterilized, so you get nothing! You
lose! Good day, sir!

I'm glad this guy is suing Prince. And they should arrest Prince's bodyguard for assault and theft. I don't know why no one arrested him to begin with. Sure it is rude to take someone's photo like that in a public place, but it is not illegal and it is NOT a big deal. Prince will probably settle this one out of court and skip paying lawyers and getting more bad publicity.

The emotional distress part of it is a little excessive, but he does deserve more than the value of his camera, considering I'm sure it was a rather unpleasant incident.

Prince should learn to keep his bodyguards under control. In 1985, he supposedly ended up paying that one photographer $1 million after Big Chick beat him up. In one concert, Prince sings something like "Asshole tried to take my picture, says I broke his neck....give him a million dollars, I say 'What the heck'. " That is paraphrased, but is pretty close. I can't remember what concert it is from, but it may be March 3, 1986.

Prince needs to get his employees under control although maybe he supports this kind of behavior. I remember reading stories that his bodyguards would go into a Men's public bathroom and throw everyone out, so Prince could go in there by himself. So maybe Prince likes them being assholes and he will have to pay the price with a bit of cash.

.
[This message was edited Thu Apr 8 10:40:27 2004 by RupertZ]

Tom said:

he's right. under current law prince's people had no right to steal the camera, or to prevent the photograph of prince from being taken in a public place. and no one on here knows if prince's people have returned the camera. i remember reading that the guy's mom made a statement of intent to go to pasiley park and ask that her son's digital camera be returned to him. i doubt he'd be suing now if it had been returned.

but, this is a bad time to make this point on this website, what with prince riding the crest of the popularity wave.

what would Jesus do if someone took his picture, lol...

There is a difference between people taking "OUR" pictures...and people taking Prince's picture. If someone took a picture of me it'll be WORTHLESS (except to my mom...I hope ) But if someone took Prince's picture it could be worth alot of $$$$. So, You know...Prince (like other celebrities) have to be protected so that people wont try the "get rich quick" scheme using celebrities. I'm sure other celebrities (who are actually worth money) would agree.

endorphin74 said:

Co-sign

I can't believe some of you are actually defending Prince in this matter (well, actually I can). It was just a kid trying to get a nice picture of a celebrity. I hope he wins some money from the prick.

Most celebrities prefer their privacy. Too many paparazzi and too many crazy peeps.

AmeDawn said:

Finally somebody making sense. Also, it's very possible Prince wants this story out there to deter other geeks from trying to take his picture without asking. Hopefully he knows he's going over-the-top in having his bodyguards just snatch somebody's camera. Maybe he doesn't. Either way he'll have to pay for it.

Personally, I'd have no problem with a child or woman/girl doing it but what self-respecting man would take Prince's picture anyway? Perhaps one out to make a buck?

Forget the legalities. (I should be the judge ) There was no assault here. Prince owes the boy another camera and cab fare back to his mommy's house. Case closed.

Geez one kid trying 2 take a photo of some1 he probably adored. How crap. Power 2 the little people. Give the dude some cash 4 a new camera.

And there's a way of doing things that shows manners and grace. You'd don't need 2 b some dumbass acting like the kid's a terrorist. P should have just walked over 2 the kid (with the gorilla) and asked him for the camera, or film roll....P saying a few words would have probably stayed with the kid 4ever, and he would think of him positively and spread good word about the man. That is always better.

AmeDawn said:

Look, just like other celebrities, Prince was a public figure in a public place. In that situation, people taking your picture is part of the trade off you make for being rich and famous. While it is certainly annoying to be photographed without your permission in public, Prince knew that was part of the deal when he filled out the application to be a rock star instead of an accountant.

Prince's bodyguard was clearly in the wrong, and I'm certain that Prince's lawyer is telling him that today. Prince should pay for the kids camera, give him bottle of Nytol to help him sleep and a free copy of Musicology for his troubles.

As far as somebody trying to "get rich quick", a picture of Prince walking in an airport isn't gonna make anybody rich.


the inevitable edit...
[This message was edited Thu Apr 8 11:48:32 2004 by Universaluv]

Perhaps he'll give the kid some passage 4rom the bible illustrating how wrong it is 2 take pictures of him in public.

ThreadBare said:

anyway
trevor is a stupid asshole, and he thinks he got all rights just because he's P's bodyguard
he's ridiculous..

Yep. Prince is back.


`
[This message was edited Thu Apr 8 12:08:06 2004 by Supernova]

Supernova said:

well...prince and his peeps were in the wrong. it was a public place with no laws about photographs. he could have been civil and asked the kid to delete it. or he could have been an adult and simply moved on...like most celebrities do. in my opinion, p should be glad that some people still want his picture. on the other hand, the kid is not going to get anything for his 'emotional distress'. if he went to school and work and performed as usual, the stress was not too bad. he'll get the money for his court fees and camera.

2 bad, so sad.

That's Rock and Roll.

TheFrog said: