Considering the social media post that Don Wiley made yesterday, I'm going to assume that the Developer will not be financing his next election!

Guess what, you don’t own the airspace above your property. You of all people should be happy to see electric vehicles flying around.

Legal warning to drone video above TV
 

The 4 small video production guys that take drone videos above TV and new areas being developed received Cease & Desist letters from TV attorneys. Telling them to STOP flying above TV and gave them 2 weeks to delete all their videos on sites etc.

????? We love Don Wiley and his Goldwingnut videos on YouTube etc. so enjoyable getting updates on construction and new retail in TV. Always promoted TV. Always.

Why are they taking this action ? Perhaps to begin their own video production and push out private folks? Don’t they make enough $$$$. Disgusting IMO

Yea, I think the developer really stepped in it this time. Wiley has provided them with incredible free marketing and they seem to want to shut it down just because they don’t control it. Kind of crazy, hopefully they will reconsider and stop the blunder before it gets worse for them.

Well, starting their own video production would actually COST them $$$, so there's that...

That said, I think it's dumb of them to try to stop the other drone fliers... Unless of course, they are publishing incorrect information...

I don’t think there is a requirement to publish correct information. Newspapers, television, and the internet publish incorrect information all the time.

And if publishing incorrect information were grounds for shutting down a website, this website would have been shut down years ago.

See the following link from the FAA
FAA publishes new fact sheet on areas where local authorities can rule on drone operations - Unmanned airspace

They already have their own production facility with drones that are competing with the four private drone pilots. Their videos are short, focused, and not near as informative.

Control the Impossible
 

There was a time when information was controlled, but this isn’t a pragmatic concept in today’s world. The Developer is trying to plug holes in the sieve with thousands of holes left unaddressed. Curving information in today’s world? Good luck with that. Their old school concepts could push them down river with the past if they don’t adapt.

The marketing strategy of today’s society is today, not 20 years ago or even 5 years back. They need to get with the times. Think about it, a newspaper, for real? Ya, and it is delivered to people who already own homes and live here….lol. The marketing strategy stinks.

The drone operators could be harnessed for positive use. Instead the builder appears to be Barney with his one bullet. Move to the information highway of the internet already. If they want to sell houses, move into today’s mindset, dawdling in the past just leaves you there. Drone footage exposes marketing secrets…hilarious. Heck, drones will be in the past in 5-10 years then where will they be? Still peddling news papers I’ll bet.

It’s not the first time something like this has happened. Anyone getting in the way of total control is dragged through the mud and back, or worse. Just ask Oren Miller.

Cancelled my newspaper subscription and let them know why.

Here’s the dirty little secret - they can ground the drones….. But they can’t silence the message. Drone video in intriguing, but the important thing is the information.
Drones were creative, 5/6/7 years ago. It’s the information channels that are valuable. As an example, Don has almost 22,000 YouTube followers. He will get information out to them, just maybe not using drone video.
There was that guy who did bike videos, Don’s done motorcycle video. I would be interested in Don’s infomration, even if he used maps.
Note I didn’t say Don’s drone videos, I am interested in his INFORMATION

I actually like his 5 minutes videos better than the long ones.
Remember, it’s about the information and the access channel, not the drones.

DJI Air 3S
 

Is the legal representation/counsel even educated to the abilities of the latest drone capabilities. How about that Mavic 4? One doesn’t even need to fly into new development airspace to get a Birds Eye view of construction. The latest camera technology has some fairly good focus abilities that aren’t necessarily able to be hampered to get the shots a drone pilot can take. So why even bother these guys? They can just fly straight up in uncontrollable airspace and photograph as much as they like. Is Google Earth or Brian McClendon getting sued too for the ability to take a picture of you in your own backyard? Asking for a friend….

Other than wanting control over “competition”, wonder what the actual reason is for this legal maneuver by TV Developer? Seems as if Control is the key reason. They want to control the upcoming and new information re construction areas, entertainment, and retail in new and existing areas. Via their newspaper, video releases, and photos. Demanding no other sources to contribute information other than THEM.

We only followed Goldwingnut and his video reports on YouTube over the last few years. Found them extremely informative and supportive of TV/Developer.

So now with the legal actions TV wants to strangle and shut down these independent people. Perhaps the basis of their legal demands are weak or not lawful. Don is indicating so. And now these folks must get legal counsel to fight back. $$$$. Exactly what the Developer wants. Force the little guys out.

Personally I hope that this backfires. A pushback by the public supporting these independents and their work. I’m one of them. And if a GoFundMe opens for them I will support. I’m typically for the underdog, and this certainly applies here…

True, true...

If I Was the Builder
 

I know how I would feel if I was the builder. Why should others get to enjoy my accomplishments before I was even done working on my project. It would be like the worker I hired to pave my sidewalk and me looking over his shoulder. It could even cost me money if I was in the middle of project and changed direction. I appreciate all the drone operators, but also a businesses right to privacy.

While this may be semantics, it should be pointed out that there is NO right to privacy. What exists is a legal justification for a reasonable expectation of privacy.

The devil in the details comes down to what is and what is not reasonable. Dancing nude in the square? No. Sunbathing nude in your walled backyard? Likely. Other variables exist: within view of neighbor's upstairs windows? Does an office building or hotel look down into your yard (like the Brownwood hotel looms over the old Lifestyle villas).

Drone Grounding is Illegal
 

I am a drone pilot. I also ran my own businesses for over half a century. I have now seen three horrible PR mistakes - Bud Light then Disney and now The Villages. The FAA has the major control of the airspace. States can make additional laws and regulations. Municipalities cannot create laws that affect drones flying other than peeping tom laws that apply to everybody. If this C&D demand applies to the release of information then it should apply to everybody who creates videos in and about The Villages. And then there’s the first amendment which should provide the ultimate authority about individuals or companies and their free speech rights. If The Villages doesn’t figure out a way to undue this quickly, the social media responses will soon be going around the world and reaching hundreds of millions of people. And the media will pick up the story and many more millions will read about it. Not only will The Villages be losing new home sales but the residents selling their houses will discover their potential market is collapsing as well. At that point it will be wild to see who sues whom.

These guys will be shut down. Only a fool would try to battle the big guys in court. The Villages does not want these drone operators talking about when the supermarket is going to be built in Eastport because this causes potential buyers to not want to buy in the Eastport area. The drone operators are harming the developer and this could result in damages.

Are there really that many buyers who will be concerned that the Developer does not want drone operators broadcasting their projects under development? It would not have impacted my decision one bit.

Really? Are you suggesting buyers will avoid the area because there will be a grocery store, will avoid the area because it looks like it will be a Publix and not an Aldi's, or will avoid the area because they had not noticed that there was no grocery store until they saw the video?

If anything, the drone operators are helping the Developer, but stealing his thunder, which could explain why it appears the Developer may be creating a drone channel of his own.

I can't disagree the battle will be lopsided likely unfair, and maybe risky...

But you don't need a drone given information can be found in public records (e.g. permits) and most everything is now visible from public roads. The skill is knowing how to piece together the puzzle.

For example, easy to know what the next Village be will be - they start the mail station first.

The Villages has its own internal leaks via employees, contractors, suppliers, sales staff, etc. For example, The Middleton and Eastport grocery store info was first disclosed in the Villages map app. Of course that info was removed when someone pointed it out.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...stport-348268/

So seems hard to claim these drone guys are disclosing much of anything not already publically available and/or visible to those willing to do the research and put the story together. The drone guys are just telling the story with beautiful videos.

No one will NOT buy because they read the developer is trying to ground drones.

The point everyone is making, is potential new buyers use the drone videos to learn about the villages and get excited about buying.
the developers videos don’t generate excitement.

Does anyone believe that IF the Developer saw a loophole to block outside Real Estate firms from listing/selling used homes with TV… that they would jump on that???

You bet…. CONTROL and $$$$.

The Villages Issues Cease And Desist To Drone Pilots: Complex Legal Battle Takes Flight

Summary of the situation so far from DroneXL.co, an Amazon Associate.

Interesting read, thanks for posting.

The article highlights this is in a legal grey area. Regardless of sympathies, I would not bet against the developers with their near unlimited money pockets, deep political connections and ruthless treatment of opposition. Good luck Don Wiley and friends. I assume he has set up a GoFundMe account.

One picture worth.,,

Very sound advice. Regardless of right or wrong, that’s a war of financial attrition that simply can’t be won by the common person.

Anyone know when the next “Night out with the Developer”, or whatever it’s called is???

Or will they now cancel these meetings?

I would have to believe that this would be a hot topic…,

I’m always for the underdog and have little love for a bully. It seems to me that the “drone flyers” do much good by marketing The Villages through their videos. They provide information on what is new and exciting being developed for future residents of this place known as “Florida friendliest hometown”. Maybe not so friendly anymore…

A huge pr mistake by the villages
 

Well here we go. This PR disaster has hit the media. First it’s local TV then it will be national media. And before The Villages know it, it will be all over the world and their market will collapse. Whoever made this decision should be fired instantly. And they better get some damage control PR professionals on board quickly or they are looking at their billions of dollars disappearing. This is another Bud Light. Another Disney “Don’t Say Gay” disaster. Let’s put a few hundred drones (legally) over the construction areas and make sure the media knows we are doing it.

I agree with you on some things, but national TV or all over the world coverage, probably not. Will this local news cause TV to collapse? I doubt it. Maybe water issues, ground collapse, or closure of all golf courses, but drone war, I doubt will change residents running and screaming into the night. Much less no houses will ever be sold. Now the Mortgage rate, that definitely makes one pause, on a house that could be for investment, or vaca home.

We enjoy Don’s videos, sometimes it’s just hard to figure out where all that vacant land is, and come up with an imaginary town, or village. Both our boys have visited TV multiple years, one gets Vmail because of lifestyle visit.
They don’t watch drone videos. Didn’t realize they existed except for Vmail.

Will they still buy, yes, one actively looking. But their thought process, no point in knowing what’s coming, because it will be gone, before you want it.

As far as bud light, disaster, no idea because we drink craft beer.

But Disney “don’t “ may have some Older gens angry. But also there are those parents and grandparents with alternative lifestyle family, who may not totally agree with their lifestyle, Still Love their children and grandchildren, no matter what they choose.

Have you been to Disney lately? It’s as crowded as always. Some days I hope for thunderstorms just to curb the crowds.
Universal on the other hand, on some days you can walk 6 across and never interfere, with someone. New Epic will bring in crowds to that park, leaving their other two parks even less crowded.

That picture isn't worth much in this case. That sign covers the ground, not the air space. They can put anything they want on a sign. The problem is they have the deep pockets to try and bully residents into voluntary compliance using threats and influence.

That drone and its camera is no more in the Eastport construction site than a traffic helicopter is on the freeway or a plane that flies over my house in my yard.

From the local news.

Drone pilots ordered to stop flying over The Villages – WFTV

What’s being discussed, is a fundamental change in the people’s expectation of privacy and I don’t see that the 1st Amendment gives anyone more than the right to “speak”, but not “peep”.

How about if you enjoy having a nude pool parties? You build a 9’ wall around your pool, so no one can see. Your nosy neighbor rents a “boom truck” to trim some trees in his yard, but also snaps some photos of your nude pool party. Fair & reasonable?

You’re Disney World and you come up with an idea for an attraction, that no one’s ever thought of. You start to build it and Universal Studios sends its drones up, to see what you’re building. Fair?

You’re a Mall owner and want to make a big splash, when a new store opens in your mail, so you “black out” all the windows, while construction/fitup of the new store is going on. We see it every day and no one bats an eyelash at such attempts at privacy.

You’re giving a birthday party for your 17 year old daughter and pay $1,000,000 for Taylor Swift to perform at the party. It’s ok if the local TV station parks their drone overhead, to film and records her performance and shows it on their 11 pm news?

How many events have you been to in your life, where there’s a sign at the gate that says: No Cameras allowed? We may not like it, but we expect it. It’s only fair.

Everyone expects “privacy” behind closed doors & windows, but we shouldn’t have the same privacy from above? Lateral privacy is expected, but vertical is not?

The Developer (for whatever reasons) is pursuing a course of action, that will only serve to protect everyone’s personal rights. You may not like his motivation, but his motive serves to protects our own best interests and expectations.

Just because there’s a “business interest" involved, doesn't make the cause any less noble.

If the Developer wants to control the narrative about his business and plans, that should be his right. The erosion of personal rights and perogatives, is something we should all abhor.

Personally, I think Don Wiley’s motivations are legitimate. He simply wants to provide accurate information. I don’t think the Developer has any interest in torturing him (although his recent social media posts seem inflammatory).

The others, I’m not so sure about. Mr. Wiley runs a business, the majority of drone “operators” are nothing more than voyeurs of some sort or another and may be in for a rude awakening. I support the Developer's position, 1000% and it's about time someone with deep pockets, took on this threat to our privacy and life as we knew it.

The FAA has jurisdiction over airspace. No entity can ban drones in the air space over their property. There are exceptions to flying for surveillance purposes, but think of that as a detective (or group of them) following someone as they drive around in their car. Seeing what is happening at some random point in time, over a wide swath of land, is not even remotely classified as surveillance.

Courts have decided that incidental encounters from the air do not violate right to privacy. If that was the case, no planes could fly. No helicopters could fly. Satellite maps could not be produced.

The letters from TV lawyers allege violation of drone regulations were committed. If they cannot legally prove that is true, they have damaged the drone operator's reputation. That IS a crime, for which punitive damages can be awarded.

The letters from TV lawyers are demanding C&D plus removal of past videos. That is backed up with threats of legal action (and the related costs for damages). Since those drone activities are 100% legal, those demands amount to an attempt to restrict the operators constitutional rights. That IS a BIG crime, for which HUGE punitive damages are often awarded.

For the Swift hypothetical - yes that is legal. Been affirmed by many courts. But not if flying over people. But not if the airspace is restricted by the FAA (highly unlikely).

For the "No Cameras allowed" hypothetical - that restriction is also legal since it applies to things happening on the ground. It is irrelevant to drones since airspace is not subject to the venue's rules.
Very different for signs that might say "no drones". That has no legal authority because airspace is governed by the FAA, not property owner.
I wonder what would happen if the developer arrested a drone operator. The big lawyer firms would fight for a piece of that civil rights lawsuit.

The developer's actions do NOT "protect everyone’s personal rights". Those rights are defined by law. If they are really trying to change the laws, going after a few drone operators is not going to change anything for "everyone". The law is not being changed by those actions, and the drone operators are following the law. It can be viewed as harassment, and punitive damages can be awarded.
If they wanted to "protect privacy" the developer needs to change the law. Even a freshman law student knows that.

If the developer wants to control the narrative, and deploy their own drones, they need to follow the exact same laws as the other drone operators have to follow. Perhaps they should have hired the people that were already doing videos. Partner with them. Use their experience and skills to enhance the narrative. Maybe even provide private information to control the release of fresh information. With a good relationship in place, if there is something speculative, errors could be prevented. Imagine the hype that could be built up as "see how this new XYZ is coming along" this week. Instead of "how can we threaten them", it should have been "how can we leverage them for a huge PR advantage".

The FAA does not control the "Airspace".

The FAA controls where devices that qualify as "Aircraft" may fly and under what circumstances.

Class G Airspace (in which drones operate) are by definition, "uncontrolled airspace".

Everyone seems to be fixated on the FAA. It is not in their jurisdiction at this point. They regulate "flying devices" and that portion of the sky, that is regulated ("controlled airspace").

Incidental invasion of privacy, because an airplane is flying over your home, is a giant leap from a drone taking photos of you, in your underwear.

I wonder how enthralled the natives would be, if the Developer decided to use drone over-flights, to search for Deed Restriction Violations? Call me shocked, but I doubt he'd be getting much sympathy from the residents.

Or even better, what if the Developer/Sheriff's Office, decided to enforced Golf Cart Speed regulations, by drone oversight. Be careful what you wish for.

BTW, if you're still convinced the FAA rules the skies, call around and see how many buildings got FAA Permits for their flagpoles. You're generally not even required to notify the FAA for any structure below 200'

Insurance companies do it today. They regularly fly drones over and look at roofs they believe to be in disrepair and notify the homeowner that they will not renew unless it is replaced.

Insurance Companies Are Using Drones To Monitor Homes — 4 Things They’re Looking For That Could End Up Costing You

Residents who abide by deed restrictions would be very Happy that the developer is taking charge of compliance issues

As far as Golf Cart speeds, there are residents, who would pay to see not only cart speeds, but actually write tickets for speeding autos.

I believe some have been wishing for awhile

You're 100% right and this is where the discussion gets interesting.

People are fond of saying, an "The Assessor has no right to come into your home". That's usually an accurate characterization. So instead, folks want to make aerial observation, acceptable?

In many states, Environmental agencies are not allowed to "trespass". As I've been told by various Environmental agencies, "we can take aerial photos of your property", if we can't see an area from your property lines.

So my question remains. Are all the folks supporting the drone operators, going to be similarly supportive of the Developer/CDD's, using aerial photography to enforce Deed Restrictions? I think not.

What about if the so-called "trolls" who wander neighborhoods, looking for non-compliant homes, decide to implement drone searches? Are you all good with that?

What about using aerial photography & face recognition, to insure only residents are using the swimming pools? Does everyone agree with that approach?

How about drone surveillance, to insure compliance with the dress code at golf courses?

When VA & AL started using air surveillance to catch speeders, people were up in arms. It died down through the years, because the goal was public safety. There are few, in any, "public safety" reasons to photograph rooftops, swimming pools or the Developer's construction.

Orwell's Big Brother of 1984. The camel's nose is under the tent, folks.