[throwawayatty]

If others similarly situated could prevail on similar theories, TV shows like "COPS" and the like wouldn't be possible. The fact that they've been successfully running for over 20 years suggests that this is not the case.

Second, there's no "false light" if the recording shows the plaintiff plainly performing a criminal act.

Finally, a disclaimer of innocence until proven guilty would likely tend to negate such a defamation claim.

[jjulius]

>If others similarly situated could prevail on similar theories, TV shows like "COPS" and the like wouldn't be possible. The fact that they've been successfully running for over 20 years suggests that this is not the case.

I haven't seen an episode of COPS in almost two decades, when I was a kid, but if I recall correctly, a lot of suspects faces on the show were blurred out so that they wouldn't be identified. I don't know if that is because they didn't sign a consent form from the show (or if the show even needed that), or what, but a lot of faces we're definitely censored.

[dsfyu404ed]

>I haven't seen an episode of COPS in almost two decades, when I was a kid, but if I recall correctly, a lot of suspects faces on the show were blurred out so that they wouldn't be identified

Yup. Faces of suspects were often blurred. Victim/witnesses would also have their faces blurred sometimes, I assume they were offered some compensation in exchange for showing their face.

[throwawayatty]

This is out of an abundance of caution, not necessarily because the law requires it. This explains it: https://www.quora.com/Does-the-Cops-TV-show-need-to-get-sign...

I'm sure the attorneys at Ring have already been through this discussion to decide whether similar actions were warranted, and concluded otherwise.

Also, a big difference between COPS and the instant case is that in the TV shows, law enforcement have already identified the suspect, while here, the suspect is at large. I think it would be difficult to convince a court that you were the intentional target of defamation when the defendant hasn't identified you yet.

[mrkstu]

I think you'd have to hit an edge case like a repo-man who the ring owner has falsely identified as someone trying to steal their car.

[pwinnski]

Every person whose face appears on COPS has signed a release allowing this.

[kelnos]

> Second, there's no "false light" if the recording shows the plaintiff plainly performing a criminal act.

While pulling on the handle of a locked car door and then moving on is certainly shady, I expect it's not a criminal act, right?

[throwawayatty]

Attempted burglary is a criminal act.

[mbrumlow]

Then what is the problem showing a person doing nothing wrong then?