Laser shield keeps photographers away. Cool!

[CoolBreeze]

Roman Abramovich, the Russian oligarch, appears to have come up with a novel solution to protect his privacy.

In a move that could eventually be copied by all discerning billionaires, Abramovich has installed an anti-paparazzi shield on his newest vessel, the world’s biggest and most expensive private yacht.

The yacht — the fourth in Abramovich’s private fleet — drips luxury. It boasts two helipads, two swimming pools — the larger of which doubles up as a dance floor when drained — and 6ft-wide home cinema screens in all 24 guest cabins.

The master suite features a retractable roof, allowing the Chelsea football club owner and his girlfriend, Daria Zukhova, a former model, to sleep under the stars.

Mindful of a rise in piracy on the high seas, the yacht has a hull and windows capable of withstanding a missile attack and a mini-submarine for emergencies. Once it leaves the Blohm + Voss German shipyard, it will be fitted with a missile defence system in France.


However, the boat’s most unusual feature is perhaps the anti-paparazzi “shield”.

Infrared lasers detect the electronic light sensors in nearby cameras, known as charge-coupled devices. When the system detects such a device, it fires a focused beam of light at the camera, disrupting its ability to record a digital image.

The beams can also be activated manually by security guards if they spot a photographer loitering.

However, asked whether such action is legal, Rupert Grey, a lawyer at London-based Swan Turton, today told Amateur Photographer: 'This sounds more like James Bond than the real world.

'But assuming the Russian oligarch referred to has such a device, he would be well advised to take a look at the Torts Interference with Goods Act 1977 before he turns it on the British paparazzi: intermeddling with goods belonging to someone else, or altering their condition, is a trespass to goods and will entitle the photographer to claim compensation without having to prove loss - not that he/she will get much in the way of compensation unless they do [prove loss].

'Collateral damage'

Grey added: 'If I was advising the said celeb I would plead lawful justification i.e. invasion of privacy - which would raise the stakes a bit. I would also be worried that lasers cause collateral damage, both to the camera and/or the claimant's health.'

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/w ... 841380.ece

http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/ne ... ml?aff=rss

[lastone]

A chopper born laser that detected a gun flash and returned a shot at it was deemed inhumane in Vietnam. A similar device using a spinning mirror to protect a area by detecting human heat and firing at it was also banned. Shooting infared at photogs can't be legal.

[AmpedNow]

The yacht — the fourth in Abramovich’s private fleet — drips luxury. It boasts two helipads, two swimming pools — the larger of which doubles up as a dance floor when drained — and 6ft-wide home cinema screens in all 24 guest cabins.

The master suite features a retractable roof, allowing the Chelsea football club owner and his girlfriend, Daria Zukhova, a former model, to sleep under the stars.

Even if it didn't have its own ABM system, this is still pretty darn cool...

Gotta love rich people with nothing better to do with their money.

[Hoosier Daddy]

A chopper born laser that detected a gun flash and returned a shot at it was deemed inhumane in Vietnam. A similar device using a spinning mirror to protect a area by detecting human heat and firing at it was also banned. Shooting infared at photogs can't be legal.

Yeah, but this guy is a private citizen with more money than God.
That changes everything. Trust me.

[Jet Black]

Why can't this guy just hire thugs like everybody else? More good Union jobs lost to technology.