Is it illegal for a neighbor to publish a photo of my property?

Question

My husband and I got new living room furniture and set the old furniture on the side of the house for bulk trash pick up for the following monday. We sat the furniture out on saturday because we were going on vacation and would not be back until Tuesday. We came home and read our neighborhood newspaper and on the front page was a picture of our furniture. Along with the picture was an article written and sent to the editor of the newspaper by my neighbor. The article stated (in a nut shell) that certain neighbors were tired of how some residents trash up the neighborhood. Is is illegal for her to take unauthorized pictures of my property and have it published with a not so appetizing article.

p.s. I know she took the picture because underneath the photo in the paper it said "Photo By: her name here

Answer 1

No, it is not illegal for someone to take photos of your property, including anything visible from the street.

Doing what your neighbor did wasn't very neighborly, but it's legal.

Answer 2

Nope, as long as she wasn't trespassing on your property (she could take it from the sidewalk or across the street, etc.) to take the photo, the outside of your house is public realm and there is no expectation of privacy.  What a rude neighbor though.

Answer 3

The taking of the picture was not illegal; however, the characterization of you trashing up the neighborhood my be defamatory.  

Answer 4

Only if you have naked minors on the property at the time of the photoshoot

Answer 5

No because you placed the furniture out in public view and if its in the public eye, its legal. what you should do is write a letter to the editor and ask to have it printed in response to what was published. if your discarded furniture made the front page, it must have been a slow news day.

Answer 6

NO

Answer 7

She didn't break any laws, she was only very rude.

If it is going to cause problems, then talk to her.  And next vacation, ask the neighbor if she'll take your trash out, and if she says no, then she can't complain about it sitting out.

Answer 8

legal just creepy

Answer 9

You can take photos of anything in public view or within view of your property.  This of course does not include peeping into windows or otherwise illegal photos.  

Answer 10

Sorry, not illegal.  Also, in many places you could have received a hefty fine for sticking your old furniture out early.

Answer 11

Sorry but i HAD to laugh...how CRAZY.

Answer 12

I think it's legal b/c it wasn't on your property but what your neighbor did is RUDE!

Answer 13

IF you can prove in court that your neigbor had malicious intent, that the written comments are false (lies), and that you suffered a measureable loss, then you can sue for libel. You can be reasonably certain that if the photo and article appeared in the paper, that the paper made sure it was free of libelous content.

I'd be in front of your neighbor's house 24/7 with my camera, snapping all the time, especially when they are watching you! Take lots of photos of their garbage cans, esp full ones! This'll drive them nuts!!!

Answer 14

NOPE! sorry.  But look on the bright side  You have made a lot of people very happy, by giving them something to laugh at.

Answer 15

Completely legal.