Amsterdam Coffeeshop Directory Forums

so it's just a super grey area right? Because I use that site to check the menus

As mentioned in a previous post to this thread, it is at the budtenders discresion. Nothing grey, black = they can't post their menus, white = I can. So get all the menu pictures you can, get them to me and I'll post them for all the menu browsers out there. At half a million hits a month, there are a lot of folks out there looking at menus.

As far as I know, there are no government agencies Dutch or US that are trying to shut me down.

Enjoy
FlyByNite

Ahh maybe I didn't articulate that question properly. I'm wondering if coffeeshops can get in trouble for letting people take photos of their menu? Because sites like yours clearly do help some coffeeshops get some business so I'm confused as to why legally that doesn't count as advertising. Is it because your intention is just to archive, so it's the intention that counts? Or is it simply because you aren't working for or paid by the shop, and the law is black and white like that?

In the case of a coffeeshop, it would be advertising. In my case it's just posting souvenier photos. For every Dutch law there are usually several ways around it. Though I don't see where any law would enter into my posting travel pictures of whatever I happen to travel near.

At one time I posted a menu that had an illegal deal on it and at the request of the shop I took a new pic without the less than legal special and everyone was happy.

Enjoy
FlyByNite

You do a good service - I'm very grateful

Indeed; me too.

FBN i am confused.

So a coffeeshop may not advertise but it is allowed to sell copies of their menus. This to me is not black and white but rather grey, advertising and souvenirs being the case.

You say taking pictures of the menu is up to the discretion of the budtender. I was under the impression that this was against the law but as one coffeeshop owner told me "My staff do not have eyes all around their head, if someone takes a photo how are they suppose to know?" again a grey area.

Youe menu site is excellent and a great resource and is after all just a collection of tourist photos.

I am not trying to be a killjoy just curious to know the actual law and i don't believe it is so black and white. I would hate it if the authorities found any excuse to shut any coffeeshop.

Okay, look at it this way. If you had one 4 foot Hindu Kush plant in your room, you would be busted for possesion and manufacture. If you had 500 pictures of various strains plastered on the walls no one would give you any grief over it.
Outside of Amsterdam I have never been refused a photo of a menu. That tells me there is no national law covering photos.
In Amsterdam there are a few that won't let you take pictures in general. Customers might get caught in the background. ( Bluebird is a tough one for pix ).
In other shops I have had the budtender bring over a lamp for better lighting on the menu.
So it runs from no pictures to let me help you get the best picture you can.
I always try to keep any background to a minimum, therefore I don't get customers in the background and the shops are happy. I don't much care who knows that I frequent coffeeshops in the Netherlands but there are folks that could loose their livelyhood over it. So unless you know the person, don't ever get customer pictures in a coffeeshop.
Over on the Asoka board TAK has been posting pictures of a coffeeshop a day, some with menus. With over 100 posted so far he has had no problems taking exterior and interior ( no customers ) shots.

Taking photos is not illegal. I guess that's about as white as you can get.

Enjoy
FlyByNite

FBN, you should be a lawyer! Although, by definition, a tourist photo is just that - the pictures might be used as info, but they weren't taken with the intention of being used as any form of advertising.

The experiences you've had just go to show it really is down to whether or not the cs is cool about their customers taking pictures - I guess if the management don't like it, best to respect that.

Looking forward to the updates!