That is correct Dan, it is illegal to commercially operate a UAV without obtaining the FAA's 333 exemption (https://www.faa.gov/uas/legislative_programs/section_333/). As I mentioned in another comment, there are now 1100 pilots who have obtained the exemption.
> Section 333 is from 2012, but the FAA failed to sue a commercial UAV operator in 2014.
If this is the case then you wouldn't need this FAA 333 exemption would you?