from this flickr thread about a photographer that wasn't allowed to take a picture of a seattle escalator i found this interesting article on photographers' rights. i especially found this part interesting:

You can take photos any place that's open to the public, whether or not it's private property. A mall, for example, is open to the public. So are most office buildings (at least the lobbies). You don't need permission; if you have permission to enter, you have permission to shoot.

i'd heard this before, but nice to hear it again. most of the articles i've read about this subject tend to talk about the u.s. but i often wonder what the rules are in other countries?