• [ network ]
  • goatmatrix.net
  • gvid.tv
  • img.gvid.tv
  • games.gvid.tv
  • apps.gvid.tv
HomeUploadUpload DirectHotlinkRandomAbouttheme toggle
Expand

Drone Operator Threatened with Jail for Helping Local Businesses Make Maps

Views:1000
@IJvids

Drones! In recent years, drones have captured the imagination of Americans. As of January 2021, there are over 1.7 million FAA-registered drones in the nation. And increasingly, drones are used not just for fun, but for innovation. Drone-photography companies have popped up across the nation, and many use cutting-edge technology to capture, create and process data. The services have been a boon for many industries: developers hire drones to monitor their property; construction companies hire them to examine progress on building sites; and real-estate agents hire them to capture vivid, comprehensive images.

https://ij.org/case/north-carolina-drones/

Increasingly, though, drone start-ups have found themselves on a collision course with a centuries-old profession: land surveyors. As most people would understand it, “surveying” involves establishing legal boundaries between tracts of land. But some surveying boards have taken a far more expansive view: they maintain that simply collecting and disseminating information about land (dimensions, shape, and size, for example) is the “practice of surveying” and unlawful without a full-blown land-surveyor license. This puts many small-business drone companies in direct violation of state laws.

Michael Jones learned this the hard way. He started a one-man drone operation in 2016, and his services included taking aerial photos of land and stitching them together into high-definition orthomosaic maps. He also used drones to capture other data for clients—for example, thermal maps for large buildings. At no point did he purport to mark the legal boundaries of property. Even so, he received a letter in 2018 from the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. They were investigating his business for engaging in the unlicensed practice of land surveying. And the following summer, the Board formally warned him to stop “mapping.” Unless Michael “came into compliance,” the Board cautioned, he’d face civil and even criminal consequences.

Michael’s experience is far from unique; since 2018, North Carolina’s surveying board has cracked down on at least a half-dozen drone companies. Other states have behaved similarly, warning drone start-ups against disseminating even basic information about land.

Now, Michael is fighting back. He wants to use innovative technology to create and disseminate images and data. In other words, he wants to communicate information—speech. With the help of the Institute for Justice, he is suing North Carolina’s surveying board in federal court to vindicate his—and everyone’s—First Amendment right to generate and disseminate information. It is not the government’s place to squelch speech and entrepreneurial opportunity.
Donate to IJ: https://ij.org/support/give-now/

ij
,
institute for justice
,
freedom
,
liberty
,
individual rights
,
constitution
,
constitutional law
,
unconstitutional law
,
con law
,
constitutional litigation
    Thumbnail for Duncan v. State of Nevada Lopez v. Schwartz Nevada School Choice17:25
    Duncan v. State of Nevada Lopez v. Schwartz Nevada School Choice
    IJvids
    1060 views
    Thumbnail for Because I'm a neo-nazi, obviously. 0:14
    Because I'm a neo-nazi, obviously.
    bestofupgoat
    195 views
    Thumbnail for It reminds me that it's not so bad0:27
    It reminds me that it's not so bad
    poalcatbox
    738 views
    Thumbnail for Protesters storm the presidential palace in Sri Lanka's capital.0:53
    Protesters storm the presidential palace in Sri Lanka's capital.
    bestofvoatxyz
    850 views
    Thumbnail for حرائق أمريكا: مفاجأة صادمة تكشفها الأقمار الصناعية عن حجم الكارثة المدمرة | Ahmose Economy اقتصاد أحمس4:33:57
    حرائق أمريكا: مفاجأة صادمة تكشفها الأقمار الصناعية عن حجم الكارثة المدمرة | Ahmose Economy اقتصاد أحمس
    invidious
    204 views
    Thumbnail for TFW you're taking a shit and a nigger brawl enters your toilet stall0:20
    TFW you're taking a shit and a nigger brawl enters your toilet stall
    bestofupgoat
    525 views
    Thumbnail for Are cheap laser cutters safe? | Maker's Muse18:11
    Are cheap laser cutters safe? | Maker's Muse
    invidious
    478 views
    Thumbnail for A taped phone call between Mia Farrow and Woody Allen has recently resurfaced that reveals the full horror of the Pedollywood director’s sexual abuse8:13
    A taped phone call between Mia Farrow and Woody Allen has recently resurfaced that reveals the full horror of the Pedollywood director’s sexual abuse
    AOUisgay
    642 views
    Thumbnail for NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 Launch (Official NASA Broadcast) | NASA4:45:42
    NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 Launch (Official NASA Broadcast) | NASA
    invidious
    349 views
    Thumbnail for it’s finally here. it’s your turn to oil up. #duolingo #oilup | Duolingo0:17
    it’s finally here. it’s your turn to oil up. #duolingo #oilup | Duolingo
    invidious
    352 views
    Thumbnail for Need For Speed0:36
    Need For Speed
    bestofupgoat
    453 views
    Thumbnail for PAOLINI vs OSAKA • WTA Miami 2025 • LIVE Tennis Watchalong | TENNIS TALK with Cam Williams2:43:17
    PAOLINI vs OSAKA • WTA Miami 2025 • LIVE Tennis Watchalong | TENNIS TALK with Cam Williams
    invidious
    256 views
    Thumbnail for New job opportunity for @anus_expander 0:27
    New job opportunity for @anus_expander
    bestofupgoat
    189 views
    Thumbnail for Freezing Spaghetti #shorts | Dylan Ayres0:38
    Freezing Spaghetti #shorts | Dylan Ayres
    invidious
    256 views
    Thumbnail for Cultural protips0:31
    Cultural protips
    bestofupgoat
    193 views
    Thumbnail for Tucker Carlson - Episode 110:27
    Tucker Carlson - Episode 1
    AOUisgay
    548 views
    Thumbnail for Obama Gets Busted on Mythbusters!0:46
    Obama Gets Busted on Mythbusters!
    ReasonVids
    1014 views
    Thumbnail for Want to Buy Stock in Your Corner Bistro? The Gov't Opens Venture Capital Markets to the Masses3:23
    Want to Buy Stock in Your Corner Bistro? The Gov't Opens Venture Capital Markets to the Masses
    ReasonVids
    1008 views
    Thumbnail for 【予想外】トランプ関税緩和の裏で“◯◯”が急成長モードへ!半導体は囮? |  Mr.Kの相場解説【急騰株攻略チャンネル】46:29
    【予想外】トランプ関税緩和の裏で“◯◯”が急成長モードへ!半導体は囮? | Mr.Kの相場解説【急騰株攻略チャンネル】
    invidious
    114 views
    Thumbnail for Kari Lake IMPLODES in DISASTER interview | David Pakman Show9:26
    Kari Lake IMPLODES in DISASTER interview | David Pakman Show
    invidious
    231 views
    Thumbnail for This is Paris, France...0:27
    This is Paris, France...
    AOUisgay
    572 views
    Thumbnail for Worlds deadliest cat0:59
    Worlds deadliest cat
    bestofupgoat
    504 views
    Thumbnail for WASM + React... Easily build video editing software with JS & FFmpeg | Fireship8:01
    WASM + React... Easily build video editing software with JS & FFmpeg | Fireship
    invidious
    459 views
    Thumbnail for Virtually Martha/Martha vs. Robot | Martha Speaks26:37
    Virtually Martha/Martha vs. Robot | Martha Speaks
    Invidious2
    91 views
    Thumbnail for I Got Bricks in the Benz 😤😤😤 | Mental Outlaw0:36
    I Got Bricks in the Benz 😤😤😤 | Mental Outlaw
    invidious
    494 views

points

Permalink
Reply
ij
,
institute for justice
,
freedom
,
liberty
,
individual rights
,
constitution
,
constitutional law
,
unconstitutional law
,
con law
,
constitutional litigation
TOS  •  Add Keywords  •  Donate  •   Analytics  •   DMCA  •   Puzzle