The FAA recently proposed regulations for the commercial use of drones, according to Jim Yand (partner at the Seattle law firm of Miller Nash Graham & Dunn). Jim presented an interesting session on “Construction Photos: Avoid Putting Your Selfie in the Crosshairs.”

If you have been thinking about using drones to capture construction photos, make sure you are covered, in more ways than one: Get proper insurance to safeguard against property damage caused by crashes, trespass claims, and invasion of privacy.  And make sure your contracts spell out everything, like who owns the drone images, and how those images will be used (can they be posted to social media?).

Drones can be beneficial to our design industry: Think cost-effectiveness, ability to reach difficult project areas, efficient inspection processes, and even sophisticated marketing and bid presentations.

“Stay tuned,” Jim said. A number of states and municipalities have passed or are considering limitations on unmanned aircraft, and the effect of such restrictions depends on the precise nature of the limitation.